Strasbourg, 24/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - Despite the geopolitical dangers and the sharp increase in global energy demand, partly due to the mushrooming requirements of the emerging countries, gas, oil and coal will, for several decades more, remain vital sources of energy to cover EU requirements. If current trends continue, the EU's dependence on imports of hydrocarbons is set to reach 65% by 2030. In view of this, it is absolutely imperative that we produce and use conventional energy more safely, by adopting innovative and clean technologies and using nuclear power. This is the message sent out by the resolution adopted on Wednesday 24 October, by 509 votes in favour, 153 against (including the Greens) and 30 abstentions by the European Parliament, on the basis of the report by the German member Herbert Reul (EPP-ED) on “Conventional Energy Sources and Energy Technology”.
Given the commitments of the Twenty-Seven to fight global warming, the EP calls on the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts in terms of research and development to boost the efficiency of energy production and to reduce its environmental impact, guarantee existing technology and develop storage techniques for renewable energies, new-generation nuclear reactors and new energy technologies. In this context, the EP calls upon the European Commission to submit, in the very near future (it is planning to do so as part of the “Green” package, see yesterday's EUROPE), legislative proposals on carbon capture and storage technology in order to answer outstanding legal questions surrounding the storage and transport of CO2. However, the EP rejected a major amendment by the Greens, calling for all investments in new carbon-based electricity production facilities to ensure that the facility has the technology required to capture and store CO2, no later than 2020.
Furthermore, on the basis of the fact that nuclear energy contributes significant proportions to energy production in many Member States, the EP also stresses the importance of this source of energy to cover the basic energy requirements of the EU in the medium term. If, like the European Council, it recognises the need for a broad debate “without any a priori” on its risks and advantages, the EP nonetheless stresses that nuclear energy is currently “the greatest source of low-CO2 energy in Europe” and that it plays a “major part” in the fight against climate change. (E.H.)