Altener Programme

ALTENER, the only Community programme to focus exclusively on the promotion of renewable energy sources, ended its five-year term at the end of 1997. It has been succeeded by ALTENER II, an initiative that will extend activities in the renewable energies field and make a major contribution to the Community Strategy and Action Plan outlined in the White Paper 'Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy'.

ALTENER II, which is managed by DG XVII, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, will run for five years, from January 1998 until December 2002. Its main role will be to help create an appropriate environment for the Community Strategy and Action Plan for renewable energy sources. The programme will also encourage both private and public investment in the production and use of renewable energy.