CTO Assessment - European Commission

Achievements
and Lessons
drawn from the CTO
Experience accumulated during the
Campaign has to be analysed under
two criteria. Firstly by comparing
results with the objectives outlined,
in particular those regarding RES
coverage, RES market development
and technological capability, without
forgetting aspects related with innovation
in all its dimensions, a constant
feature of CTO. Secondly, CTO
allowed exploring new dimensions in
the framework of an integrated view
for the development of renewables in
Europe. Therefore, lessons that can
be extracted also involve other dimensions
dealing with the role and
promotion of renewables, with regard
to their social, economic, and environmental
sides.
The analysis of the initiatives demonstrated
in general that the local
communities benefit from promoting
and developing the market penetration
of RES. Several Community priorities
and concerns such as environment,
job creation, local and regional
development for a strong economic
and social cohesion have been positively
influenced by it. As well, the
main energy policy issues such as the
security of supply, the improvement
of the energy balance and the reduction
of energy dependency, the environmental
implications of energy production
and use and competitiveness
have benefited from the uptake of
RES.
Starting from an in-depth analysis,
main successes and barriers in relation
with CTO objectives are shown,
grouped into lines of action and most
important factors, and glossing these
conclusions with the relevant references
of the cases selected.
Objectives in key sectors
As we could observe in the chapter
addressing market analysis for each
of the three renewable energy sectors,
the degree of accomplishment of the
initiative’s objectives has been variable
in each of these areas, with outstanding
results recorded in most of
the initiatives, including wind energy,
and several spectacular actions in the
implementation of solar thermal in
some geographic regions that exceeded
the initial objectives.
With regard to the objectives outlined
in each initiative, we can conclude
that the most decisive factors for success
have been:
Project supported through a solid
technological proposal and with a
good feasibility analysis.
High degree of cooperation and integration
of the several actors involved
in each initiative.
High public acceptation of the initiatives.
On the contrary some problems have
been detected in those initiatives depending
on unfavourable factors such
as:
Starting from little realistic or
unachievable objectives.
Conflicts in the implementation of
unripe technological solutions.
Existence of adverse market conditions
or scarce confidence in investments.
Low technical skill.
Loss of the political support guaranteed
at the starting moment.
Economic changes or crisis at local
or regional level.
Achievements and lessons
27