To strengthen energy security, Europe needs new networks, energy storage facilities and accelerated electrification of the economy. It is the development of this infrastructure, rather than continuing to depend on fossil fuels, that should become the basis for the EU’s resilience to geopolitical and price shocks.
This was stated in an interview with Guildhall by Jutta Paulus, a member of the European Parliament from Germany, who is a member of the Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety.
— What steps can Europe take to achieve energy independence?
— Europe can strengthen its energy independence by significantly expanding renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy, while investing in energy storage solutions and in expanding power grids to better integrate variable generation from renewable sources.
At the same time, ambitious energy efficiency measures in buildings, industry and transport can significantly reduce overall energy demand. Civil energy and energy sharing initiatives should also be promoted, as they tend to increase public acceptance of renewable energy projects, can reduce some network costs, and add an important social dimension to the energy transition.
In the transport sector, quotas for electric vehicles in corporate fleets could accelerate electrification, while in industry, stronger political support should stimulate the transition from fossil fuel processes to electric technologies.
— What changes in energy policy should the EU and its member states make in the coming years?
— To strengthen energy independence, the European Union and its member states should adjust priorities so that electrification becomes more economically attractive.
One important step would be to reduce taxes and charges on electricity, which are now in many cases higher than those on fossil fuels. At the same time, energy markets should create stronger incentives and rewards for system flexibility, including demand management and energy storage, as they are needed to integrate an increasing share of renewable generation.
Finally, governments should expand state aid mechanisms and risk reduction tools for investments in energy efficiency in industry and buildings in order to accelerate the implementation of major projects in this area.
— How do you assess the idea of increasing domestic oil and gas production in Western countries, especially in terms of its potential impact on defense capabilities?
— The idea of significantly expanding domestic oil and gas production in Western countries should be viewed critically. New fossil fuel projects carry a significant risk of becoming stranded assets as power systems move to decarbonization.
In addition, the exploration and development of new oil and gas resources takes considerable time, which means that such measures will not have a tangible short-term effect on either energy security or defense capabilities.
In the longer term, the accelerated development of renewable energy, electrification and energy efficiency is likely to be much more effective in promoting strategic stability and reducing geopolitical dependence.
Exclusively for Guildhall.
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