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Energy proposal worries the ČR

Topolánek says it's doubtful that Czechs can meet EU target

By František Bouc
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
March 14th, 2007 issue

In a begrudging agreement, the government has conditionally accepted the European Union’s newest plan to promote renewable fuel and cut carbon dioxide emissions by one-fifth.

Leading representatives of the 27 EU member states agreed March 9 in Brussels to set a binding target of 20 percent as the share of EU energy sources that are renewable by 2020. At the same time, EU leaders declared their intent to cut carbon dioxide emissions 20 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2020.
Despite an earlier resolution not to support the regulations, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek allowed the deal to pass without veto. He repeated his concern, however, that the Czech Republic will not be able to meet the EU targets.
“Even if we chopped down all our forests, we would not be able to meet the 20 percent target for renewable energy,” Topolánek said.
In line with other less wealthy states, including Slovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, where the economies are more dependant on heavy industry and coal, Czech leaders have been hesitant to invest in the wind farms, solar power and biomass sources necessary to meet the binding EU targets.
While the EU energy sector’s current share of renewable sources stands at about 6.5 percent of total energy output, the Czech Republic remains at about 4.5 percent.
Topolánek argues Czechs can realistically get the share to around 8 percent by 2020. He said he agreed to vote for the proposal only after the text of the agreement was rewritten to give each member state the right to reject the future individual targets set by the European Commission.
“The condition was that different features of national economies and their wealth be taken into account when the EC makes particular national allocations,” Topolánek said. In addition, he said, the agreement is acceptable because each nation will have consent over its level of commitment as long as the union as a whole reaches the 20 percent target.
Jaroslav Míl, president of the Czech Confederation of Industry, questions the feasibility of the plan. Given the current share of renewable resources, he said, major investment into developing new ones would prompt an increase in energy prices.
“It would have a fatal impact on some industrial fields,” Míl warned.
Officials fear required cuts in carbon dioxide emissions for 2008–12.
The government has appealed to Brussels to allow the Czech Republic 102 million metric tons (112.4 million short tons) of carbon dioxide emissions per year. Currently, the limit is 97 million metric tons. As the EC readies to announce the Czech emissions quota later this month, local media have been speculating that instead it will be cut.
Should it happen, Industry and Trade Minister Martin Říman says, the economy will lose its edge against more developed member states.
 

František Bouc can be reached at fbouc@praguepost.com


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