Renewable energy researchers push for Horizon 2020 funds

Energy research centres have called on the European Parliament to ensure Horizon 2020 spends enough money on renewable energy technologies, instead of expanding funding for natural gas, hydrocarbon extraction or carbon capture and usage.

In a statement on 7 March, Eurec, a Brussels-based association of research centres and university departments, said that technologies such as carbon capture are not relevant to wider energy policy. Such technologies should therefore not be supported by funding for energy research under Horizon 2020’s Societal Challenges pillar.

“If it should be funded at all, then funding should come from another part of Horizon 2020”, said Eurec policy officer Greg Arrowsmith at a press briefing in Brussels. “The European Parliament must make this point a priority when negotiating with the Council [of Ministers].”