All renewable energy sources have to compete on a level playing field to evolve as the strongest alternatives possible. This means that the European Union should have no protectionist trade barriers against the import of renewables from other parts of the world.
The responsibility the Commission put on Member States to take the lead in the strategy must not lessen the pressure on those states that have not yet opened their markets to sustainable and renewable energy resources. Thus, the Commission ought to define the current commitments as minimal targets for those countries to avoid them taking advantage of countries that have done more.
”Despite the fact that this proposal mainly concerns renewable energy, the Commission should have confirmed the importance of nuclear power to be able to fully exploit emerging sustainable energies. The plans for dismantling nuclear power that have been put in place in several Member States make it likely that the positives from the increased use of renewable energy are lost to an increase in the need for fossil fuels to compensate the reduction in nuclear power. This makes it essential to define nuclear power as an important ally to renewable energy in the efforts to reduce European CO2 emissions”, said Hökmark
For further information:
Gunnar Hökmark MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845822
Per Heister, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-496-645530