EU's new renewable energy goal (20 x 20) draws mixed reaction

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LONDON (Reuters) - European Commission plans unveiled on Wednesday to boost renewable energy production drew mixed responses from analysts and producers, with some calling them ambitious and challenging and others disappointingly weak.

The EC said renewable energy should contribute 20 percent of all energy used for heating, transport and power generation in the 27-nation bloc by 2020, and set a target of 10 percent of vehicle fuels coming from biofuels.

The targets are part of new proposals for a broad EU energy policy to fight climate change, cut energy consumption, and reduce the dominance of big utility companies over EU gas and electricity markets.

"Twenty percent is challenging but it is feasible," Richard Slark, the director of Poyry Energy Consulting said.

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