"Intelligent Energy Europe" must be maintained within the Horizon 2020 programme!
Foto: "Intelligent Energy Europe" must be maintained within the Horizon 2020 programme!
In November 2011, the European Commission made a proposal for a €6.5bn Research and Innovation budget aimed at secure, clean and efficient energy. This budget is planned for the period 2014-2020 within the framework of the new Horizon 2020 programme to be co-ordinated by DG Research and Innovation. Will the budget embrace the activities backed by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEE)?
It is indeed crucial that Research and Innovation investments be coupled with non-technological solutions involving both offer and demand of the type funded within the framework of the IEE Programme. Such projects facilitate the implementation of the EU's energy efficiency policy, prepare the field for investment, support the bolstering of excellence of different players, including local authorities and favour the acceptance of those innovations by the general public. Their pertinence, efficiency and leverage effect for the delivery of the EU's energy and climate goals have yet again been vindicated by recent independent surveys. Without a programme such as this, the Covenant of Mayors would not have seen the light of day and the same goes for innovative funding programmes such as ELENA.
Consequently, Energy Cities requires without delay:
- that a clear and separate budget heading be dedicated to non-technological solutions in the Horizon 2020 programme, within the spirit and furtherance of the IEE programme and that it be managed by DG ENER,
- that the budget allocated to these non-technological solutions reaches at least €1bn which would be a significant leap in respect of the IEE programme (appropriation of €730m for the 2007-2013 period).
Energy Cities is persuaded of the support that the European Parliament will provide concerning these two proposals.
The 'European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework', proposed for the 2014-2020 period, did not mention the future of IEE. That programme, however, is the only one benefitting from centralised management and exclusively dedicated to the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energies. Energy Cities expressed its astonishment and made a strong case for it to be maintained.
In the section "Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy" of Horizon 2020 (COM(2011) 809 final) a paragraph headed "Market uptake of energy innovation" reads: "Activities shall focus on applied innovation to facilitate the market uptake of energy technologies and services, to address non-technological barriers and to accelerate the cost effective implementation of the Union's energy policies." Furthermore, the 3f paragraph headed " Robust decision making and public engagement" points out that "Activities shall focus on the development of tools, methods and models for a robust and transparent policy support, including activities on public acceptance and engagement, user involvement and sustainability." (p. 67).
Energy Cities would like to believe that these paragraphs indicate a Support Programme set to replace the IEE programme. The Association calls on the Commission to clarify the substance of its proposal while taking into account the support that is vital for innovation in terms of local governance, financial engineering, attracting local players and citizens, long-term vision and networking.
Indeed, only by heavily supporting innovative non-technological solutions can the EU's energy and climate targets be met and it should be stressed that they should also be taken on board by sector-based policies such as regional policy.
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