“The European Commission has set a positive direction for the continent’s climate and energy security goals“, Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said.
„We wholeheartedly support the scenario which targets a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040. It is the only pathway to deliver legally binding Paris Agreement climate commitments. Critically, it will also support the continent’s competitiveness and energy security goals, as we phase out the volatility of fossil fuels and develop new green industries“, Hemetsberger stated.
„It is a relief to see the serious commitment that fossil fuel consumption will steeply decline, supported by rapid electrification. We hope to see this message carry through in a dedicated Electrification Act2, she said.
Fully renewable energy system should be focus
„Importantly, the proposal also considers the investment agenda, which recognises the need for scaling up private and public funding such as the Innovation Fund, and the end of fossil fuels subsidies.“
„While there is notable recognition of the role of renewables as the major contributors to the energy transition, our projections show that renewables and storage can deliver even more for the energy system. Relying on costly, time-intensive, and unproven low-carbon technologies, risks diverting us from more efficient, readily available solutions. A fully renewable energy system by 2040 is within reach and should be Europe’s clear focus.“
„Crucial landmarik in Euorpe`s clean industry story“
“Landing the Net-Zero Industry Act is a crucial landmark in Europe’s clean industry story. It’s an essential piece of the industrial strategy puzzle, which will substantially improve off-take visibility for EU solar manufacturers at this critical time“, Dries Acke, Policy Director at SolarPower underlined.
„In public procurement and parts of energy auctions, EU countries now have the possibility to reward project bidders based on non-price criteria, like sustainability or resilience.“
„We understand these criteria will apply to a minimum of 30% of auctions initially. This is a positive, measured, approach, which will help EU solar manufacturers finance project pipelines, knowing that there is reliable demand for their product. This also means the rest of the auction market should remain unaffected, maintaining the necessary pace of solar deployment. To guarantee this win-win, weencourage member states to act swiftly while respecting the 30% threshold.“
„It is good news that this Act will be revised in coming years, via ordinary legislative procedure, to map out the trajectory towards 2030 and beyond. This is a sensible ‘walk before we run’ approach.
Also interesting: Has the momentum of a European production capacity already passed?
„For clear and consistent implementation of procurement and auctions rules across the EU, we’re asking the European Commission to swiftly adopt the Implementing Act that will clarify the rules at a technical level.“
Still demand for emergency support for EU solar manufacturers
„We reiterate our call with the wind industry that these rules, as well as the forward trajectory of auction volumes, should be technology specific, and recognise the different starting points of the wind and solar supply chains.
Did you miss that? „Further urgend action is still needed“
But let us be very clear: while landing the NZIA sends a strong signal to EU solar manufacturers, it doesn’t negate the need for emergency support. Manufacturers have weeks left of survival, this emergency requires urgent action from EU and national authorities“, Acke said. (hcn)
