On 4 December 2019, European Energy Ministers will meet to discuss the central priorities of Ursula von der Leyen’s new Commission. While official communication is expected in March 2020, SolarPower Europe and the European Association of Research Institutes (EUREC) joined forces with 17 national solar associations from 13 EU countries, and 10 major European research institutes, urging the adoption of an industrial strategy for solar in Europe to ensure a robust and competitive solar industry that will deliver vast economic, social, and environmental benefits across the entire continent in a letter.
Facilitate solutions for the European Green Deal
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said: “Solar has entered a new growth phase in Europe, with 2019 installations forecasted to rise 110% into a 20GW capacity. With such strong market prospects, it is the ideal moment to capitalise on Europe’s already existing highly innovative solar technologies by putting in place a comprehensive industrial strategy.
This will ensure the creation of highly-skilled and local clean energy jobs in Europe, thus making good on the promise for a just transition where no European is left behind. European policymakers have a golden opportunity to implement an industrial strategy that will future-proof a robust and competitive European solar industry, and deliver solutions that can facilitate the European Green Deal.” (HCN)
