Energy giants call for EU wide 2030 renewables target

Under current EU rules, the bloc faces a legally binding target to generate 20 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020.

But growing numbers of clean energy investors are increasingly concerned that without a new target for the post-2020 period confidence in long-term projects and supply chain investments could be undermined.

A group of nine leading European energy companies, dubbed the Coalition of Progressive European Energy Companies, issued a statement ahead of today's meeting arguing for the "continuation of targeted and ambitious renewables policies and measures towards 2030, such as new binding targets".

The group, which includes SSE, Dong Energy, Acciona, EWE, Eneco and EDP Renewables, called on ministers to invite the European Commission to begin work "on a post-2020 energy strategy, centred on binding and ambitious renewables measures and a strong EU ETS".

"It is clear that the binding 2020 renewables target has worked – in the absence of a robust carbon price – driving economic growth and increasing security of energy supply," the group added.