Press release - January 28, 2009
Brussels, International — “The Commission has missed another opportunity to help create an environmentally sustainable energy system that would stimulate the European economy. Today’s money for clean energy pales in comparison to the hundreds of billions of euros that have been made available by EU countries to confront the economic recession,” said Frauke Thies, Greenpeace EU renewables policy campaigner.
The Commission's €5 billion package calls for €1.75 billion for energy infrastructure for gas and electricity, €1.25 billion for carbon capture and storage technology, €500 million for investments in offshore wind energy. The plan also foresees €1 billion for IT (information technology) infrastructure projects and €500 million for agricultural development.
"Investments in carbon capture technologies would perpetuate Europe's outdated energy system and its dependence on fossil fuels. 'Clean coal' is an empty promise and is far from being a viable technology. By contrast, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies are available and working today, ready to create employment for millions of people," Thies added.
The Greenpeace EU Energy [R]evolution scenario demonstrates how the large-scale development of renewables and energy efficiency would require €190 billion additional investments until 2020, but save more than €500 billion in fuel costs in the same period, while creating millions of new jobs in Europe. (For more information see: www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/press-centre/reports/EU-energy-revolution-report.)
Other contacts:
Frauke Thies – Greenpeace EU renewables policy campaigner:
+32 (0)2 2741 912, +32 (0)477 79 04 15 (mob.), 
Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager:
+32 (0)2 2741 903, +32 (0)496 15 62 29 (mob.), 