A renewed energy infrastructure for europe

• Pages: 10-18

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1. A RENEWED ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR

EUROPE

1.1 The need for a renewed energy infrastructure in Europe

EU countries have agreed on a new 2030 Framework for climate and energy, including EU-

wide targets and policy objectives on greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy

efficiency and electricity interconnections. These targets and policy objectives aim to help the

EU achieve a more competitive, secure and sustainable energy system and to meet its long-

term 2050 greenhouse gas reductions target.

Figure 1

2030 Framework for Energy and Climate – agreed headline targets

The Commission has presented, as one of its key priorities, a Framework Strategy for a

Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy

2. Its goal is to help

the EU deliver on its 2030 targets and objectives and give European consumers access to

secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy and allow them to benefit from the

ongoing fundamental transformation of Europe's energy system.

In order to meet the 2030 targets and objectives, it is essential that Europe’s energy

transmission and storage facilities are modernised3. Out-dated and poorly interconnected

infrastructures are a major constraint on Europe’s economy. The development of wind

electricity generation in the North and Baltic Sea regions, for instance, is hampered by

insufficient grid connections both off- and onshore. The risk and cost of disruptions and

wastage is also expected to increase unless the EU invests in smart, effective and

competitive energy networks, and exploits its potential for energy efficiency improvements.

2 COM(2015) 80 final

3 Energy infrastructure : priorities for 2020 and Beyond – a blueprint for an integrate European energy network

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/publications/doc/2011_energy_infrastructure_en.pdf

2020

2030

-20 %

Greenhous

e Gas

20%

Renewable

Energy

20 %

Energy

Efficiency

 - 40 %

Greenhouse

Gas Emissions

27 %

Renewable

Energy

 30%

Energy

Efficiency

10 %

Interconnection

15 %

Interconnection