It is time the EU recognises its energy transition as a core pillar of its security strategy. To fully unlock this potential, Europe must do more. More electrification, flexibility and grid reinforcement will allow solar and renewables – today’s most affordable energy sources – to reach all sectors, replacing imports of oil and gas for our cars, homes and factories. According to SolarPower Europe’s numbers, this can save the EU up to EUR 30 billion in fossil fuel spending as soon as 2030 and 160bn by 2040. Clean energy technologies bring even further benefits to Europe’s security when their supplies are diversified and increasingly made in Europe, and when embedded in robust cybersecurity frameworks.
The European solar sector urges EU energy Ministers to make a clear call on the European Commission to take action on three clear areas:
Grids & Flexibility
Put forward a Flexibility Strategy that boosts energy storage and demand-side flexibility, complementing the action on grids that is already planned for via the Grids Package.
Solar Manufacturing
Ramp-up CAPEX & OPEX support for scaling up clean tech manufacturing, especially for solar PV and battery storage, in the EU in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework.
Cybersecurity
Develop and mandate industry-specific cybersecurity controls, for example via a standard under the Cyber Resilience Act, for securing remote-controlled solar PV infrastructure.
Joint letter on EU Energy Security
Read the full letter
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