Belgian Energy Minister Thinne van der Straeten told the European Parliament’s Energy Committee late on Monday that “we need to focus more on the grid to unlock the full potential we so desperately need.” “There is,” he said.
“Lack of grid infrastructure is perhaps the most important barrier to increasing Europe’s energy sovereignty, increasing its competitiveness and achieving its climate goals,” she said.
In response to the Ukraine war, the EU pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030, while simultaneously phasing out Russian fossil fuels.
Van der Straaten called on the EU to take an “power first” approach. He said: “The more we can produce within the EU, the less we can produce. [energy] It’s an addiction,” she said.
Increasing renewable electricity will also help the EU produce more green hydrogen, another key climate and energy goal. Last year, the region agreed to a goal of sourcing at least 42.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
Van der Straaten said the focus now should be on implementing the necessary measures to achieve the goal.
overcome barriers
Her intention is to build on the results of several high-level meetings scheduled in the coming months to provide specific input to the incoming European Commission on how to overcome barriers to increased deployment of renewable energy and hydrogen. With this, he ended his term as chairman.
These include the International Hydrogen Conference in Liège, Belgium on 15-16 February to discuss global certification rules and financial and risk mitigation options to support the development of the international liquid hydrogen market; is included.
EU energy ministers will meet informally in Brussels on April 15 and 16 to discuss developing a more integrated electricity grid and improving infrastructure resilience.
A high-level offshore energy event will also be held in Bruges on May 15th and 16th, where financing and supply chain issues, rules and permits will be discussed.
“We need to redesign certain concepts we are using and be prepared to take a more European approach, including greater cross-border and regional cooperation,” Van der Straeten said.
The next EU Commissioner will be appointed after the European elections in May. They will then lead EU policy efforts for the next five years from November.