Competitiveness and innovation programme not appropriate for intelligent energy, says EUFORES
The European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources (EUFORES) has expressed concern at Commission plans to integrate the Intelligent Energy for Europe programme into its new framework programme for competitiveness and innovation. 'If adopted the framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation (CIP) would be an instrument to support competitiveness and innovation in the single market. It would bring together a number of existing Community programmes in the very fields that have been identified as most critical to boosting European productivity growth,' according to the European Commission. A consultation on the proposals is now open. However, according to EUFORES, 'Integrating the IEE [Intelligent Energy for Europe] programme into another programme would mean a loss of substantial progress for the renewable energy and efficiency sector.' The IEE programme supports sustainable development in the energy context, contributing to the EU's general objectives of security of energy supply, competitiveness, and environmental protection.