The European Commission today adopted the Energy Roadmap 2050, setting out its assessment of scenarios for the EU's energy future. The Greens have hit out at the plans for being based on flawed assumptions for renewable energy and energy savings, whilst overstating the role of nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage. Commenting on the proposals, Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:

“This roadmap fails to plot the path for a secure, safe and sustainable energy future in Europe. The roadmap is characterised by flawed cost assumptions and overly-pessimistic projections on the potential contribution of energy saving and renewable energy, whilst overstating the role of nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage technologies. The paper represents a political choice by energy commissioner Oettinger to talk up the potential of nuclear power, in spite of the ever growing public and political opposition, and regardless of what is in the best interest of the EU."

Green energy spokesperson Claude Turmes MEP added:

"If the EU is to meet its energy security goals and deliver on its commitment to limit the increase in global temperatures to below 2 degrees, which implies emissions reductions of up to 95% by 2050, it must rapidly shift to a high-efficiency, renewable energy-based economy. 2030 is the next crucial energy milestone for Europe after 2020. With this in mind, and based on the success of the EU's current 2020 binding renewables target for promoting the uptake of renewable energy, the Commission should be working for an ambitious binding 2030 renewable energy target. Regrettably, the roadmap fails to do so. On top of this, its assumptions on the contribution of renewables to the energy mix are far too conservative. A number of scenarios show that renewables could contribute up to 45% of the EU energy mix by 2030, on the path towards a 100% renewable energy based economy. However, the highest possible contribution considered by the Commission in its analysis is a measly 30%."

Richard More O'Ferrall,

Press and media officer,

Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament

Mobile: +32-477-443842 - Ph. +32-22841669 (Brussels); +33-388174042

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