Without naming them, European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, on Tuesday 5 May during a debate on energy solutions, called on the three Member States (Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg) that have still not submitted their national energy and climate plans (NECP - see EUROPE 12479/33) to send them to the European Commission as soon as possible.
“It is urgent we receive the remaining plans”, as they are “the precondition” for any increase in the EU’s climate targets, Mrs Simson said.
She added, “Without all the plans, it is difficult for the Commission to complete its assessment” of the impact of raising the 2030 climate target.
The Commissioner went on to explain that the significant delay past the original filing deadline (31 December 2019) had already forced her to postpone a first interim evaluation that should have been submitted before the summer.
Mrs Simson also provided some details on the three main tracks currently being followed by the Commission in the energy field: improving energy efficiency, promoting renewable energies, and strengthening the integration of the energy system.
Energy efficiency. On energy efficiency, Mrs Simson reiterated her commitment to increasing the rates of building renovations across the EU by presenting, in September, the ‘Renovation Wave’ initiative to minimise potential regulatory barriers in this area.
Under this framework, hospitals, schools and SMEs will be the focus of the first investments, as these actors are particularly affected by the Covid-19 crisis, the Commissioner said.
In order to finance this wave of renovations, the Commission is currently studying how to obtain more resources by using the Structural Funds, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and InvestEU, as well as possibly developing specific financial products for building renovations, said Mrs Simson.
Renewable energies. The Estonian then reiterated that she will present a strategy on offshore renewable energies “after this summer”, in order to improve investor confidence and thus massively develop this sector.
Stressing that the renewables market forecasts a decrease in new renewable energy projects of up to 33% this year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commissioner also mentioned the importance of encouraging the exploitation of the “renewable potential” of building roofs for developing the use of solar energy technologies.
Sector integration. Contrary to a draft version of the Commission’s revised work programme (see EUROPE 12467/23), the strategy for ‘smart sector integration’ (see EUROPE 12467/29) will be launched in June (as scheduled in the initial timetable), Mrs Simson said.
Finally, she indicated that the deployment of hydrogen “will be a central component of this strategy”, as this gas may be able to serve as a catalyst, especially for sectors struggling to decarbonise such as heavy industry and transport.
To read Kadri Simson’s full speech during the debate: https://bit.ly/2z7ODRT (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)