In 2018, the EU member states agreed on a new version of the Renewable Energy Directive II (short RED II). Now the draft of RED III is already available, although in Germany, for example, the transition period has been extended until 31 December 2022. On 14 September, members of the EU Parliament voted on the next revision in the first instance.
On the positive side, the new draft provides for a strengthening of renewable energies. These are to cover 45% of the EU’s energy needs by 2030. In return, however, there are to be far-reaching restrictions on the production of energy from wood. According to the directive, the combustion of primary woody biomass is to be excluded from the EU’s renewable energy targets and the subsidisation of biomass is to be ended as a result.
The entire industry and its participants find themselves unprepared and investors very unsettled. Already the predecessor directive RED II could not be transposed into national law by the original deadline in Germany, for example. The new categorisation and its implementation now represent the next major challenge. The announced abolition of the eligibility of biomass alone is causing tempers to flare. Added to this is the controversial classification of “primary” biomass and which types of biomass can consequently be considered renewable energies according to the definition and the EU Directive. This could have fatal consequences for biomass (heating) power plants in particular. In any case, the consequences of a change like this are difficult to assess for all parties involved, and the pros and cons must be weighed up carefully.
What can we do? After we have conscientiously implemented RED II with the inclusion of new certification systems in the Brüning Group, we will of course also prepare for the new requirements of RED III in the best possible way. To this end, we are once again relying on dialogue with partners, associations and politicians. Our goal with the Brüning Group is to stay on the ball, to always keep ourselves thoroughly informed about any changes and innovations in order to be able to transfer them flawlessly into practice. This is the only way we can guarantee our customers and suppliers compliance with the guidelines and be a reliable partner for them.