Brussels, 20/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Under the auspices of the Union of the Electricity Industry (Eurelectric), 61 European electricity producers pledged to stop emitting CO2 by 2050 in a statement handed by Eurelectric managers to EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. With annual production of around 2,500 teraWatts/hour, the 61 companies generate more than 70% of the electricity generated in the EU. To help them meet their promise, the companies are calling for a simplification of the licensing procedures for new infrastructure for a range of energy options including clean fuel technology, carbon capture and storage, cogeneration of heat and power, nuclear energy and renewable energy. Eurelectric says the electricity industry will require investment to the order of €1.8 trillion to replace old power stations, develop grids and meet new demand and environmental targets. The electricity industry stresses the need for reliable, coherent, market-oriented legislation and access to finance. (E.H./transl.fl)