Menu
Menu
Menu
EU leaders need to get serious about electrification if Europe is to decarbonise in line with the commitments of the Paris climate agreement and bring about economic benefits for consumers, say signatories of The Electrification Alliance, launched in Brussels this week
Voters in the May 2019 European elections made it clear climate change is the top challenge to handle at an EU level and that there is broad support across the continent for an ambitious clean energy transition that leaves no country and no citizen behind. European Commission President-designate Ursula von der Leyen got the message, staking her presidency on a Green Deal that gets our economy to carbon neutrality by 2050. But to deliver this vision, she now needs to make some important decisions and get serious about electrification.
Decarbonising our energy supply quickly is essential for Europe to stand a chance in reaching carbon neutrality three decades from now. We have done relatively well so far at decarbonising power generation and this is only the beginning. Yet, electricity makes up just 24% of the energy we consume today in Europe. Heating, cooling and transport remain massively powered by fossil fuels.
Getting serious about climate change means first and foremost getting serious about electrification. It is the number one solution for Europe’s decarbonisation being cost effective and energy efficient.
Because electrification boosts economic prosperity. Fuel imports cost EU citizens more than €5 billion a week. Replacing fossil fuels with clean and renewables-based electricity brings serious cost savings to European consumers.
Because electrification empowers consumers. With digitalisation, consumers can directly manage their energy supply and demand patterns, and eventually save money.
Because electrification brings jobs and growth. Investing in an industrial ecosystem with decarbonised, smart and affordable electricity solutions benefits local economies and drives the creation of high-skilled jobs.
Because electrification is good for our health. Substituting fossil fuels in transport and heating with decarbonised electricity directly improves local air quality and our life in general.
Where do we go from here?
We need to exercise scrutiny over the design and implementation of the European Green Deal.
To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, investments in electricity grids, smart solutions and renewable energy generation must increase already today.
The European Green Deal must do at least four things to mainstream electrification in heating and cooling, transport and industry:
Taking action now on these four points will ensure that the right policies are in place for the European Green Deal, and the needed investments happen on time. This is how European citizens and our economy will reap the full benefits brought by future-proof electrification across sectors.
Giorgia Concas, Secretary General, European Association of Electrical Contractors
Philippe Vangeel, Secretary General, European Association of Electromobility
Kristian Ruby, Secretary General, Eurelectric
Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation
Bernard Respaut, Chief Executive, European Copper Institute
Thomas Nowak, Secretary General, European Heat Pump Association
Frauke Thies, Executive Director, smartEn
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO, SolarPower Europe
Giles Dickson, CEO, WindEurope
PHOTO Eurelectric
The views expressed in this opinion are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of FORESIGHT Climate & Energy
Do you have a thoughtful response to the opinion expressed here? Do you have an opinion regarding an aspect of the global energy transition you would like to share with other FORESIGHT readers? If so, please send a short pitch of 200 words and a sentence explaining why you are the right person to deliver this opinion to opinion@foresightdk.com.
Enthusiasm for e-fuels is growing, but it is still unclear where the renewable energy will come from to produce them
The Northern Netherlands has won a €20 million EU grant to become Europe’s flagship green hydrogen project. The former natural gas region will lead Europe — and the rest of the world — in the energy revolution required by the Paris climate agreement, says Nienke Homan, regional minister in the Province of Groningen
Expectations are high that the Principles for Sustainable Banking can push banks to change their balance sheets and businesses in line with climate action and other big societal issues
A recent World Bank study reveals global carbon revenues are rising sharply, but only around 42% are used for environmental projects. It shows European and American citizens prefer their governments to spend carbon revenues on low-carbon initiatives, so why is political will lagging behind asks Susanne Dyrbøl from Rockwool Group
Germany’s first climate law does not include fossil gas, but behind the scenes discussions about the role of gas in the country’s energy mix, particularly hydrogen gas, is intensifying
Efficiency measures have cut greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry, but if the sector is to be part of the climate solution, radical action to adopt new cleaner fuels is the only answer
Leave a Reply