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Consumers sharing cheap renewable electricity? It’s possible, if EU really wants to
(EurActiv, 17 Oct 2023) Energy sharing under the EU’s proposed electricity market design reform is under threat from opposition in the European Parliament, which could allow EU countries to limit it to neighbourhood-level only. This cannot be allowed to happen, writes Monique Goyens.
Monique Goyens is the director general of BEUC, the EU consumer organisation.
Consumers have been facing unprecedented increases in their bills recently, in the months (and years) since the energy crisis began. To get out of this, Europe needs to accelerate investments in renewable energy.
But it also needs to be easier for consumers to access cheap renewables to be able to make long-term savings on their bills. Energy sharing – between friends, neighbours or peers – could be part of the solution.
In response to the energy crisis, the European Commission proposed a series of short- to medium-term sticking plaster reforms to prevent fossil fuel price spikes from hitting households and industry again, including increasing the domestic supply of renewables.
The transition to more renewable power generation is of course a good thing. Wind farms and solar parks are becoming increasingly visible features in our landscapes around Europe. Many consumers are also making the switch by installing solar panels on their rooftops and are seeing the benefits in terms of reduced energy bills.
EurActiv, 17 Oct 2023: Consumers sharing cheap renewable electricity? It’s possible, if EU really wants to
