Euronews debate: Electrifying Europe – how can we make it happen?

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Europe is rapidly transitioning its power sector to contain energy prices and meet ambitious climate change targets.

However, after June’s EU elections, the next Parliament and the European Commission will have to implement these energy reforms to reach net zero by 2050. Will Europe get back on track, or will political change change anything?

Join the debate live on Euronews. European Parliament, February 21, 13:30 (Central European Time) Politicians and renewable energy companies will be looking ahead to the big changes that are coming and answering whether they are even possible. You can watch live on Euronews or Euronews.com.

You can watch the debate live in the video player at the top of this article.

We will also take a deep dive into whether Europe can meet its climate goals for 2030, 2040 and 2050.

The distinguished panel included Eva Chamizo, head of Iberdrola’s Brussels office, Mohamed Chahim, Member of the European Parliament, Tom Howes, European Commission Advisor on Green Transition and Market Regulation, and Pierre Tardieu, Chief Policy Officer at WindEurope. Includes Mr.

Jeremy Wilkes, Euronews’ climate and science correspondent, will moderate the session.

At the heart of the Euronews debate is electricity market reform, with the Council and European Parliament reaching a tentative political agreement in December last year.

The purpose of this reform is not only to increase green electricity, but also to protect consumers from rising electricity prices, which have skyrocketed due to the Russia-Ukraine war. This regulation has not yet been formally approved and is subject to change under new EU leadership.

wind of change

In the 2019 EU elections, the Greens made significant gains across the bloc. The vote prompted then-new Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to present an ambitious Green Deal proposal that aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050.

However, opinion polls show a shift towards right-wing parties in many countries, and the EU parliament will change hands in a vote in June.

Center-left and Green parties are expected to lose votes and seats, while populist radical right parties are expected to gain, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

ECFR also predicts a populist right-wing coalition will win a majority in the European Parliament for the first time, possibly crushing Ms von der Leyen’s green ambitions.

What are the obstacles to renewable energy?

But politics is not the only thing standing in the way of a cleaner, greener Europe.

Temperatures have already increased by 1.52°C from February 2023 to January 2024, exceeding the Paris Agreement’s key warming threshold of 1.5°C.

The European Commission recognizes the urgency of meeting the EU’s 2050 climate targets and on 6 February announced the need to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels by 2040. He said there is. This is in line with recent scientific advice and the EU’s commitments under the EU Agreement. Paris Agreement.

In 2022, renewable energy sources accounted for 22.5% of the EU’s final energy consumption. Hydro, wind and solar power account for the majority of this figure.

However, some of the biggest obstacles to increasing the use of renewable energy in Europe are supply chain capabilities and investment frameworks.

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For example, according to WindEurope, wind power accounts for 19% of the electricity consumed in Europe, and nearly all of Europe’s wind turbines are manufactured in Europe.

Despite its large supply chain, the company is struggling due to rising material costs and fierce competition from Chinese turbine manufacturers.

But the problem isn’t just about wind. In 2022, the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that the world relies on China for more than 80% of its solar panel supplies.

Storage of renewable energy is also an issue facing Europe, as electricity generated by wind and solar cannot be stored on a large scale. The European Commission recognizes that renewable energy storage is problematic and has set guidelines.

Another key issue for EU countries is the electricity grid that transports electricity across borders. Waiting for wind and solar panels to be connected. Possible reasons for not being able to connect include waiting for the grid to be built, having already obtained permits, or the grid being privately owned.

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Europe has the potential to become a leader in renewable energy, but it must address these shortfalls.

During this debate in the European Parliament, the following questions will be posed to the panel: How will European energy companies remain competitive against aggressive foreign companies? For consumers and businesses Can the promise of fair, transparent and long-term pricing be delivered? And what are the risks of opposing climate-friendly policies in European elections?

Stay tuned to euronews.com and our YouTube channel.