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Doubling electricity interconnection is the European peace project for this decade
(EurActiv, 26 Sep 2022) Cross-border sharing of electricity and solidarity will unlock a resilient and sustainable future for Europe, write a group of cross-party MEPs.
The following opinion piece has been signed by MEPs Bas Eickhout (Greens, Netherlands), Martin Hojsík (Renew Europe, Slovakia), Ville Niinistö (Greens, Finland), and Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, Finland).
Europe stands at a pivotal point. This summer brought record-high gas prices alongside unprecedented wildfires and heatwaves. And yet, with crises on multiple fronts, this is just a foreshadowing of the challenges we face this winter and the ones to come.
As Europe grapples with energy insecurity, countries are starting to fight back with solar panels and wind turbines. The majority of EU nations have already accelerated wind and solar deployment, putting the bloc almost on track to deliver the 45% renewable energy goal for 2030 backed by MEPsthis month.
Eight nations bordering the Baltic Sea declared themselves the “frontline of European energy security” as they committed to increasing offshore wind sevenfold by 2030, while Europe’s record solar summer helped avoid €29bn in gas imports.
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