Grid-Connected Renewable-Electric Policies in the European Union

Policy, and other, efforts by the European Union have resulted in a dramatic increase in non-hydro renewable generating capacity in the European Union countries since 1990. These policies are aimed at reducing the cost of renewable technologies and at reducing market risks by making investments in renewable technologies more favorable. These efforts have substantially reduced the existing gap between installed renewable capacity in the United States and the European Union. This brief examines the policies that were most effective to promote renewables as well as lessons learned.