EU renewable energy sector a key driver of European Green Deal, industrial strategy can boost deployment

In anticipation of the European Commission’s forthcoming industrial strategy, which will lay out the foundation of a climate-neutral society, 10 leading European renewable energy associations joined forces to stress the strategic importance of their sectors in delivering the European Green Deal and facilitating the decarbonisation of industry.

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Brussels, 24 February 2020 – In anticipation of the European Commission’s forthcoming industrial strategy, which will lay out the foundation of a climate-neutral society, 10 leading European renewable energy associations joined forces to stress the strategic importance of their sectors in delivering the European Green Deal and facilitating the decarbonisation of industry.

The associations signed a joint letter that urges renewable energy technologies to be acknowledged as a key Strategic Value Chain, complementing the six key Strategic Value Chains already identified by the Strategic Forum on Important Projects of Common European Interest. Membership of the Strategic Forum should be opened to representatives of renewable energy industries before the end of 2020.

The decarbonisation of the EU’s society and economy requires the large-scale deployment of cost-competitive renewable energy capacities by 2050. This will create a massive demand for green energy products in the EU and abroad, unlocking vast opportunities for European industries.

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, said: “The renewable energy industry is pivotal in delivering the European Green Deal. Solar and renewables offer low-cost and innovative solutions to decarbonising Europe’s energy system. Acknowledging renewables as one of the key Strategic Value Chains in the next Industrial Strategy published in March can unlock our full potential, bringing highly skilled jobs and energy self-sufficiency, powering all Europeans.”

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