"The Commission has once again fallen between two stools on where to invest in the energy system. It recognises the need for renewables and efficiency, but it is also bowing to pressure to fund outdated technologies like coal and nuclear. It's time for the EU to choose the type of energy system it wants in the future and stop playing the field," said Frauke Thies, Greenpeace EU energy policy campaigner
The conflict between a centralised and inflexible energy system that relies on nuclear and coal, and versatile renewables is already becoming apparent. In northern Germany, wind power is being cut off the grid during times of low power demand, because nuclear and coal plants are unable to adjust their output. The situation will only worsen unless the right policies are implemented across Europe.
"Instead of diverting resources to fossil and nuclear experiments that only perpetuate our outdated energy system, more efforts should go into the development of a smart energy network that can integrate renewable energy sources and efficiency," said Thies.
The Commission proposes seven industrial initiatives and estimates the public and private funding needed for these initiatives over the next ten years, including wind energy (6bn€), solar energy (16bn€), bioenergy (9bn€), the electricity grid (2bn€), carbon capture and storage (13bn€), nuclear energy (7bn€) and fuel cells and hydrogen (5bn€). It also proposes a so-called 'smart cities' initiative for efficiency measures and the deployment of renewable energy in large cities (11bn€).