Renewable Energy: EPP Group advocates for more in Europe

Experts from science, business and politics are calling today for a "real energy transition in Europe", at a hearing organised by the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

"We can manage the transition of Europe’s energy system with the right mix of renewable energy sources. Austria, with its 70 percent of renewable energy, is showing the way forward”, said Elisabeth Köstinger MEP, EPP Group Deputy Spokeswoman in Parliament’s Environment Committee, who is chairing the expert hearing.

The Austrian Minister for the Environment, Andrä Rupprechter, presented the “Austrian vision for a real energy transition”. He wants to push for more renewable energy production and calls for a Treaty on energy transition. “We will only be able to reduce CO2 emissions if we change our energy systems in Europe. We must force the pace of renewables, energy efficiency and power saving. These goals must be better translated into EU law”, Rupprechter said. Such a Treaty would counterbalance the Euratom Treaty, which still gives a special position to nuclear energy.

For Köstinger, renewable energy is an opportunity for both the climate and economic growth. “The age of fossil fuels is over. The future of our energy system begins today and we Europeans will be the pioneers of the energy transition”, she concluded.

The hearing is taking place today, Wednesday 28 September, 15.00 hrs in the European Parliament, Brussels, JAN 6Q2.