Page 43 - European Energy Innovation - summer 2019 publication
P. 43
Summer 2019 European Energy Innovation 43
ENERGY TRANSITION
In the coming years,
the European industrial
landscape will be substantially
be regarded as a step backwards changed, thanks to increasing
but as a clear way to develop our investments in renewable
economies”. Today, over 4 million technologies.
people are employed in the green
energy sector and the numbers The European industrial landscape The European Union emerged from
continue to grow thanks to the latest will be substantially changed in the the Coal and Steel Community,
technological developments and coming years, thanks to increasing placing the energy at the core of the
rollout of renewable energy sources. investments in renewable, storage European construction. Since then,
For instance, in the coming years, and flexibility technologies. Therefore, European Members States are joining
the solar sector alone is expected to in addition to clear goals for 2030 forces to build a Clean Energy Union.
provide between 100,000 and 170,000 and 2050, a coherent investment The green transition has to be a
additional jobs to Europe. framework is needed to provide positive transformation for Europe’s
certainty for investors. The European citizens, jobs and industry - within
Therefore, to be just, the transition Investment Bank is already aligning the EU and in neighbouring countries.
should go beyond investing in new its lending policy with the goals of Clarity, coherence and ambition
clean capacities. It should place the Paris Agreement. Climate change should support a fair transition, which
workers and consumers at the centre should be a priority for policy makers is already underway. l
of the debate. Establishing a broad as well as for investors – but more
and long-term dialogue among certainty for them is be necessary.
all stakeholders will be key to the This is certainly key for those regions
success of the energy transition. Such across Europe which not only have a
initiatives have started to emerge and longer road ahead of them by moving
inspire the European debate. Ireland, away from carbon intensive value
for instance, has established a citizen chains, but also often face higher
forum, by engaging a hundred of investment costs and barriers.
people in a dialogue on the future
development of the island. The energy sector is undergoing
tremendous transformations to
Synergies are also needed at provide Europe with clean energy,
the European level. Since its deliver flexible capacities and
establishment by the European strengthen networks. Beyond the
Commission in 2017 the Coal power sector’s commitment,
Regions in Transition Platform has ensuring a cost-effective and fair
brought together numerous actors: transition also requires the full
European institutions, investors, engagement of customers and the
NGOs, EU regions and also private definition of sound market design
companies which stand ready to policies. Europe has come a long
contribute to this transformation. way in these questions but more
One of its central activities is the challenges lie ahead to enabler better
exchange of information on the use market integration across
of public funds in the most effective our continent.
and efficient way. While in its first
stages this platform focused on
compensation aspects it is now time
for it to look into new opportunities
in the field of green industrial
development.
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