Utilisation of Renewable Energy in the European Union.

It is the purpose of the European Union to reduce dependency of external energy resources and to foster the economic development of rural areas. The strategy of biofuel production and need for stimulation are laid down in the Green Paper which is the basis of the European Biofuel Directive. The Directive set a 5.75% market penetration of biofuels within the EU.

The Biomass Action Plan of the European Commission considers the sustainable use of biomass to be a key component of the future energy strategy of the EU.

The Green Paper identifies six key areas: Energy at the service of European growth and job creation: extending the internal electric energy and gas markets of the EU. Internal energy market providing secure supply, solidarity between the Member States. Tackling security and competitiveness of energy supply: towards a more sustainable, efficient and diverse energy mix. An integrated approach to tackling climate change. Encouraging innovation: a strategic European energy technology plan. Towards a coherent external energy policy.

 The European energy policy needs to have three main objectives: sustainability, competitiveness and the security of supply. According to the standpoint of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, the share of renewable energy may reach 20% by 2020.

 Due to the anxiety related to global food crisis and the sustainability of biofuels, the EU is now considering the ban of certain fuel types. Certain governments reduced subsidisation on biofuels, while others would introduce high import customs in order to enable the European biofuel sector to establish a dynamic supply chain which begins with the biomass feedstock produced in the EU. The first annex of the Directive stipulates the proportions for Hungary. In order to achieve the 2020 national goals, the infrastructure needed for district heating and cooling operated with renewable energy resources needs to be developed.

 In Hungary, the amount of the primary and secondary yield of vegetable biomass is 55-58 million tons, expressed in dry matter. Under proper circumstances, 6-8 million tons of organic matter of the 25-26 million tons of agricultural and the 1-2 million tons of forestry secondary yield could be used for energetic purposes. Proper ecological, economic and technical conditions need to be provided in order increase the extent and improve the efficiency of this use.