25.5.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 184/89
(7) Putting citizens at the centre of the Energy Union, who take ownership of the energy system transition, benefit from new technologies to reduce their energy bills, participate actively in the market and where vulnerable consumers are protected.
The report provides a description of measures so far undertaken or planned toward the implementation of these visions.
The EESC nevertheless regrets that the account provided in the report does not relate to the visions but, rather, to the five mutually reinforcing and closely interrelated dimensions designed to bring greater energy security, sustainability and competitiveness.
This double set of on the one hand objectives or visions and on the other hand dimensions makes it extremely difficult to follow the implementation of the visions, also because for instance the issues of citizens at the centre of the energy union or the need for upskilling and reskilling of the workforce appear in several of the dimensions.
The EESC regrets that this makes it very difficult to follow the progress made in implementing the objectives of the Energy Union Strategy. 1.4.
The Communication rightly makes reference to the REPowerEU plan, which has been supported by the EESC and which has revived and strengthened the Green Deal and Fit for 55 instruments, focusing on diversification, savings, security of supply and speeding up renewable energy source development.
However, the current climate and energy crisis, and the lack of security, stability and predictability in supply and prices, are putting a huge strain on the European Union.
The crisis would be less severe if more targeted action had been taken earlier and, for example, if the EU’s own objectives (such as those of the European Energy Union) had been taken more seriously. 1.5.
According to the 2022 Report on the State of the Energy Union, an estimated EUR 300 billion of public money needs to be invested in the different lines of action aimed at achieving full independence from Russian fossil fuels between now and 2030, which will have a significant impact on the EU's total budget.
Additionally, further private investment will be required, including investment by European citizens.
The EESC believes that the money needs to be spent in a way that helps achieve the above-mentioned objectives of the Energy Union.
Also, the spending should not lead to a reduction in resources for the just transition, for research and innovation, or for businesses and consumers affected by rising energy prices. 1.6.
The unprecedented rise in energy prices, triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is bringing about enormous social and economic consequences, as well as consequences for countries’ industrial and productive fabric.
The EESC underlines the lack of clear European coordination during the energy crisis and, as part of the response, calls for the creation of an instrument based on the SURE model, in order to support workers and businesses in difficulty. 1.7.
Recent events have increased the potential risk of cyber-attacks and acts of sabotage on critical infrastructures such as the energy grid and power plants.
The EESC therefore recommends designing and adopting a comprehensive strategy to protect the EU against these kinds of threats. 1.8.
The main medium-term strategic objective of the EU countries — specifically in the light of what has happened with the war in Ukraine and also considering a possible further complication of the international situation — must remain that of energy autonomy.
We understand ‘strategic energy autonomy’ to mean a political concept that will help shape the future EU energy market, where autonomous decisions made by the EU will guarantee energy independence from unreliable suppliers.
The EESC regrets the fact that this topic is not properly considered in the report and remains in the shadows, with the focus solely on independence from energy imports from Russia. 1.9.
In order to reach the EU’s strategic autonomy objectives, the EESC calls on the Council and the Commission to develop appropriate instruments, including through the establishment of a European Sovereignty Fund, to boost investment in clean domestic energy technologies and energy infrastructure.
At the same time, it is crucial to encourage the Member States to use the funds optimally and efficiently for clean energy development.
Such a strategy must also include guidance on how to motivate businesses, community institutions, members of the public and energy communities to invest more.
The instruments and resources that are currently provided appear insufficient for the major challenges that need to be addressed.
The EESC invites the Commission to take particular care with regard to the impact of new resources and supplies on the environment, and with regard to new dependencies on third countries. 1.10.
When developing energy autonomy, the EESC proposes to follow a bottom-up approach since this approach makes it easier to achieve the objectives mentioned in point 1.3. 1.11.
The Green Deal is not yet accompanied by the equivalent social policies to make this transition a just transition.
Given that employment and industrial systems will be greatly affected by the transition processes, the EESC regrets the fact that the report does not properly take into account the importance of comprehensive employment, skills and social policies.
Educational investments, reskilling and upskilling need to be seen as a socio-economic responsibility.