17
Sep
2024
Watch
State of the Energy union (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, there are a number of crucial games to be played on the future of energy: the quality of people's lives, the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, the resilience of the European industrial sector in global competition and a primary role for Europe in the geopolitical chessboard. For all these challenges we need to accelerate the exit from dependence on fossil fuels, focusing on energy efficiency, circular economy, electrification of consumption and renewable sources. We are far from the 2030 targets, starting with 42.5% of energy from renewable sources. We don't need any more time, we don't have it. More common instruments and investments are needed for Member States to accelerate without leaving anyone behind. Two objectives I consider essential: the regulation and unification of energy markets, to avoid speculation and to ensure that the lower price of renewables effectively cuts bills, and the monitoring of the effectiveness and implementation of national energy and climate plans, so that the 2030 targets are actually achieved – something that not all governments, starting with the Italian one, are really committed to doing. We have a lot of work to do.