[(Refocus Weekly] The European Commission will have invested Euro 440 million into research for renewable energies over the course of its Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) between 2002 and 2006, and its proposal for FP7 is asking for Euro 2.93 billion for all energy sources.

There is broad agreement on the need for research to contribute to the development of renewables and to a reduction in the cost of renewable energy technologies which can meet the challenges of climate change and a secure energy supply, according to a conference on research into renewables in Europe. Continental institutions and industry stakeholders met in late November for a conference on research into renewables.