Causes Suppport for The Intelligent Energy Europe Programme within the Multi-annual Financial Programme

Maria da Graça Carvalho participated in the EUFORES meeting "The Intelligent Energy Europe Programme - Is the most effective EU support programme for renewables and efficiency at risk?", that was held in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. During the meeting, Ms Carvalho made an intervention on the "Urgent need to act together: The importance of the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme for the implementation of renewables and efficiency in the coming decade"; and Jan Geiss, Secretary General EUFORES, spoke about "The activities and the added value of the IEE programme for the European Union". 

The Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEE) has been one of the most effective programmes to support the implementation of EU renewables and energy efficiency policies. Hundreds of projects with thousands of key actors all over Europe have been supported and cofinanced by the programme in the past. The added value of this programme is undoubted and a precondition to accompany EU policies successfully with activities close to EU citizens, SMEs, the mayors of Europe and many sustainable energy networks all over the EU.

However, discussions on the proposal of the recent draft for the Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Commission show that the follow-up of this highly important programme is not yet assured.

During the meeting, the group EUFORES discussed the urgent need to act concerning this issue. Maria da Graça Carvalho had the initiative to send a letter to the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and to the commissioners: Günther Oettinger, Commissioner for Energy; Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science; Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Development; Connie Hedegaard, Commissioner for Climate Action; and Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development.

In this letter, a group of MEPs support "a strong and dedicated follow-up of the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEE) within the Multi-annual Financial Framework, and urge the European Commission to assure a dedicated and visible place for Intelligent Energy Europe and its highly effective Executive Agency EACI or an improved and upgraded IEE successor programme within the Multi-annual Financial Framework. DG Energy should keep its only instrument to be able to react quickly on new market developments and to use corrective measures to assure a satisfying implementation of EU sustainable energy legislation".

The letter was signed by the MEPs Maria da Graça Carvalho; Claude Turmes (MEP, Greens); Fiona Hall (MEP, ALDE); Anni Podimata (MEP, S&D); Bendt Bendtsen (MEP, EPP); Graham Watson (MEP, ALDE); Paul Rübig (MEP, EPP); Jo Leinen (MEP, S&D); Krisjanis Karins (MEP, EPP); and Britta Thomsen (MEP, S&D).