This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Entrevista con José María González Vélez, Presidente de la Asociación de Productores de Energías Renovables
Interview with José María González Vélez, President of the Association of producers of renewable energies
Nerea Gorriti01/10/2006
We need a more sustainable economic model in which renewable energy sources are the backbone
The Association of producers of renewable energies, Appa, brings together more than two hundred ninety companies operating in the sector of renewable energies. The Agency, established in 1987, is the only Association in the State sector and partners in all the autonomous communities are represented in it. APPA made up of companies from the sectors of water, wind, photovoltaic, biomass and biofuels. The renewable energy producers association brings together more than two hundred ninety companies operating in the sector of renewable energies.
Since when is Appa and how many companies are associated?
APPA is the reference in Spain renewable energy Association. It is composed of more than 320 companies and entities that develop their economic activity in the sector of renewable energies. It highlights the weight that the promoters, but it also brings together manufacturers, financial institutions, centres of investigación…
Explain, please, what exactly are covering the activity of the Association and Appa for "renewable energy"
For Appa are renewable energy sources that are available in a short time period; that is to say, the Sun, available every day, those crops, available every year, the wind, and so on. Fossil energy sources are renewable because his training is carried out in a non-human time scale, but geologic. The atomic either, because it has mineral origin and is finite. In Appa, in addition to the usual renewable, which also include marine energy, we are open to the clean energy carriers, such as hydrogen.
What are the specific actions of Appa for renewable energy? It's a type of work that moves more in the field of research or its activity focuses more on the collaboration with institutions to promote the increased use of renewable energy?
APPA has three primary objectives: the interests of the sector, provide specific information in a consistent manner and provide legal advice and performance criteria. Our core activity is lobbying to the authorities and social groups organized with incidence in the area of activity of our partners: Administration, at all levels; political parties; institutes and other research organizations, both public and private; professional bodies, groups ecologistas… Also, logically, we collaborate with research centres. Our representativeness and antiquity, born in 1987 and are present in the CNE, the Ciemat and other agencies and institutions, make us the national point of reference in the field.
What is the current scene, in his view, the power consumption in Spain, Europe and the world? What role are renewables?
Energy consumption is absolutely fired. And that's a lot, because a higher consumption does not imply a higher quality of life. Renewables still do not have the weight they deserve in the sources that we use to supply energy (in Spain its evolution is negative), and it is important and urgent that that will change, because we need a more sustainable economic model that renewables are the backbone.
What role should be according to the Plan for renewable energy (PER)? Is there a plan to collect what capacity should be Spain of renewable energy sources in the future?
The Per is a magnificent document which sits in limbo, because, despite having been approved by the Council of Ministers more than a year ago, still not been incorporated to the regulations in force. On the other hand, the adoption, in June, the Royal Decree Law 7/2006 has removed key elements of the remuneration structure of the renewable and everything we have now, is uncertainty. Investments are crippled and, even, the growth of the sector is threatened. Seen, so far there has been no plan in the field of renewable by the makers of the national energy policy.
They think that the current short term objectives are realistic?
After the legislative reform that I quoted, not. It is impossible to comply with them if not legal guarantees that have been deleted are returned to the sector. And if not done quickly, you can collapse a socio-economic structure that is the envy of many other Nations.
APPA recently issued the news: the European Parliament awarded two-thirds of the budget allocated to r & d of the non-nuclear energies to the technological upgrading of renewables and energy efficiency. Can you explain the consequences of this news?
It will have to see what happens, because the European Commission, in an insane undemocratic exercise, has contradicted the European Parliament, without proposing an alternative allocation of funds. The European Council is that must take the final decision and Appa and other sisters of the old continent associations are working to ensure that Parliament's proposal to recover. It is very important, since it will allow a qualitative leap in the r & d in renewable, which are mostly young sources that should be more mature.
APPA has three primary objectives: the interests of the sector, provide specific information in a consistent manner and provide legal advice and performance criteria
Do you consider that Spain can reduce its dependence on electricity from other countries?
We do not import much electricity, but yes, oil, natural gas, coal and enriched uranium, energy that produces electricity. We have a dependence on energy from 80 per cent, while the EU average of 50 percent. We can reduce this unit provided that we build for renewables.
Believe that the citizen of a foot is aware of the importance of saving energy?
At all. Most people don't even know how much pay on receipt of the light. And it is serious, very serious, because it is impossible without conscience, that is valued savings.
Related Companies or Entities
Asociación de Productores de Energías Renovables
Asociación Provincial de Plásticos de Alicante
Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas
