Delors' energy community
EU Energy Community only of value if focus on developing renewable energy economy
Former Commission President Jacques Delors, together with EU energy commissioner Günther Oettinger and EP president Jerzy Buzek, today presented proposals for a European Energy Community at a press conference in the European Parliament (1). Commenting on the proposals, Rebecca Harms, President of the Greens/EFA group and Claude Turmes, Vice-President of the Greens/EFA group, said:
"The proposals for a European Energy Community, which are being pushed by Jacques Delors, will only be of value if the community focuses on speeding up the shift to a renewable energy economy in Europe. At present, the energy community being proposed by Jacques Delors lacks a clear policy focus and goals.
"Transforming our economy into one based on 100% renewable energy is not only the most effective way for Europe to achieve security of energy supply and meet its climate change goals, it will also of clear benefit to the European economy. This has been made clear by a number of studies that have been released in the past months (2). These studies have also underlined that 100% renewables is not just some pipe dream, but is a realistic goal that Europe can achieve by 2050 and would not be more costly than other energy options.
"The Greens have been pushing for a European Community for Renewable Energy (ERENE), to promote a 100% renewable Europe, for some time now, with former EU Commissioner Michaele Schreyer presenting a comprehensive proposal in 2008.(3) This would aim to promote pan-European coordination, as well as mobilising joint financing instruments and R&D, with a view to speeding up the transition a truly integrated European supersmartgrid, powered by 100% renewable energy. The proposals for a European Energy Community should draw inspiration from this."
Note to editors:
(1) The proposal for a European Energy Community is being developed by Jacques Delors together with EU think tank Notre Europe.
(2) Including studies by Price Waterhouse Coopers and the European Climate Foundation, as well as the European Renewable Energy Council
(3) Study by Michaele Schreyer and Lutz Mez (commissioned by the Heinrich Böll Foundation): ERENE - A European Community for Renewable Energies
