Today MEPs voted in favour of a comprehensive 10-year energy strategy for the European Union which highlights the importance of renewables and energy efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on competition and market issues.

Jens Rohde MEP (Denmark, Venstre), who negotiated the proposals on behalf of ALDE, said:

"We need an ambitious energy strategy for Europe that delivers on climate change, energy security and growth. In order for it to work, we need a market based approach that will give incentives to pioneers to develop concrete solutions to today's and tomorrow's energy and climate challenges.

"Ten years ago, China did not produce a single wind turbine. Now it hosts three of the world's top ten wind energy companies. Ten years ago there was nothing, today China represents 50% of global wind turbine production."

"It is time for Europe to walk the talk and go further than the Commission has proposed so far."

Lena Ek MEP (Sweden, Centerpartiet), ALDE co-ordinator in the Industry, Energy and Research (ITRE) committee), added:

"We face enormous problems in the energy market in Europe where we are still too dependent on fossil fuel.

"Subsidies for old technologies and fossil fuels such as coal must be a thing of the past. We need to focus on new and clean technologies to secure our energy future in Europe.

"Budget decisions must be made in accordance with new priorities and not undermine this sustainable energy strategy."

A special European Council will debate the EU's energy strategy on 4 February 2011

For more information, please contact:
Corlett Neil - Tel: +32 2 284 20 77 Mob: +32 478 78 22 84
Angelika Schneider - Tel: +32 2 2 284 10 19 Mob: +44 7950 184 194
Web: http://www.alde.eu