Put wind at the heart of a European energy union, urges industry

On 9 December 2014, Europe’s energy ministers will gather in Brussels to discuss the internal energy market and governance for the 2030 climate and energy framework.

RES, one of Europe’s leading independent renewable energy developers, has joined calls for wind energy to be at the heart of European energy policy and the Commission’s proposals for an Energy Union. Commission President Juncker has pledged to make Europe number one in renewable energy and he and Vice President Commissioner for Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic, must therefore ramp up the EU’s commitment to wind energy.

Jean-Marc Armitano, CEO of RES EMEA, said:

“We need a bold vision from leaders and lawmakers across Europe to create an Energy Union with wind energy at its heart. This will stimulate financial commitments from investors. Only with this can we achieve energy security, green growth, jobs and a reduction in climate-changing emissions – all at least cost to the consumer.”

The European Wind Energy Association has today published a position paper setting out five priorities for a European Energy Union: stable frameworks, energy security, an internal energy market, growth and combating climate change.

The EU now imports more than half of its energy, often from unstable regions and at a high price. Member States can regain control over their energy supplies through diversification into renewable energy. Wind power deployment is well-placed to be the backbone of the EU’s energy security strategy whilst significantly reducing Europe’s import bill, which will be good for consumers.

Wind energy is already meeting around 8% of Europe’s electricity demand and is due to reach 15-17% by 2020, when it will employ more than 350,000 people. Onshore wind is close to becoming competitive with fossil fuels. It is flexible, decentralised and closer to the consumer, which avoids costs. Offshore wind has a significant role to play in European low carbon energy generation, creating manufacturing jobs and global leadership for the EU.

However, growth is being hindered. Barriers and lack of interconnection prevent the free flow and trade of electricity across the continent. Despite a new EU-level renewable energy target for 2030, governance of this is unclear and a patchwork of energy policies across all 28 Member States sends a confusing message to would-be investors.

The modernisation of Europe’s energy sector, to replace its ageing fossil fuel generation, will require billions of Euros of investment between now and 2020. Diversification into renewable energy like wind power turns this challenge into an economic opportunity. By 2030, we could have a third of our energy supply generated by renewable energy, backed by innovative transmission and storage technologies, within a fully functioning internal market and at affordable prices.

Jean-Marc Armitano added;

“Leading independent renewable energy companies like RES are willing to contribute to this investment but we need a clearer, more stable set of policies and a co-ordinated, collaborative European energy framework, with unencumbered movement of power, in which to invest. The Energy Union design must also ensure a continued role for small and medium-sized independent companies to maintain diversity, innovation and competition. We urge the Commission to take on board the industry’s proposals for a European Energy Union.”