At a time of energy uncertainty and major concerns about security of supply and climate change, the decision of the European Commission to completely ignore the European Parliament’s vote to strengthen the energy research budget for renewable energies is difficult to understand [1]. Despite fine words on the need to find alternatives to fossil fuels, the Commission has passed up a golden opportunity to turn its often articulated support for renewables into action and slapped the European Parliament in the face at the same time.

Therefore, the associations in the Renewable Energy House would like to invite you for a “press breakfast” next Tuesday to explain just why renewable energy research investment is so vital to Europe.

Christian Kjaer of the European Wind Energy Association; Oliver Schäfer, European Renewable Energy Council; and Katharina Krell, EUREC Agency (the grouping of renewable energy research centres in Europe), will discuss the reasons behind the European Parliament’s support for this amendment. We will outline our hopes for next stage in the negotiations between the Council, Commission and European Parliament, focusing on the Competitiveness Council of 24th July - where Member States will adopt their Common Position on the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

You are welcome to join this press breakfast which will take place in the Renewable Energy House (Rue d’Arlon 63 – Metro: Maelbeek), on Tuesday 18 July at 9.30.

Please confirm your participation by Friday 14 July to Isabelle Valentiny: [email protected]  +32 474 54 20 25

[1] On 15 June 2006, the European Parliament voted to dedicate two thirds of the non-nuclear energy research budget to renewable energy and energy efficiency, under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7).