REFUREC's 28th workshop

The REFUREC workshop, held this year in Helsinki, brought together participants from 23 countries and led to important discussions on the implementation of European directives and the functioning of the Union Renewable Energy Database (UDB).

REFUREC's 28th workshop

The UDB discussed the challenges associated with the proper functioning of the database and the fulfilment of the obligations stemming from the RED III Directive. Participants from each Member State exchanged experiences and addressed the challenges of deploying the UDB, often related to uncertainties about certifications and reporting.

The implementation of the RED III Directive in each country was an important topic and the need for support from Member States was discussed. The interaction of RED III with existing systems such as the ETS and the need to improve data recording, especially in aviation and shipping, was also discussed. Growing concerns about fraud associated with hydrotreated refined vegetable oil (HVO) were highlighted, underlining the need for cooperation between countries. Participants identified common challenges and discussed options to address them.

Planning for future workshops and agenda sharing were important aspects of the debates. The workshop allowed for a mutual exchange of experiences and the identification of areas for improvement. Individual discussions also covered opportunities to strengthen legislative frameworks and support innovation in renewable energy, or strategies and initiatives to improve the implementation of European directives and coordination between countries. Participants took stock of the state of play and sought common solutions to the challenges of renewable energy. Member States agreed at the workshop on the need for further cooperation and coordination between Member States at the level of implementation and monitoring of targets.