Energy efficiency should be taking centre stage in Europe

(EurActiv, 8 Sep 2022) As Europe braces for the full impact of the Nord Stream 1 shutdown, there has been a failure to acknowledge that we should be using the energy we already have more efficiently, writes Martin Rossen.

Martin Rossen is Senior Vice President, Head of Communications & Sustainability at Danfoss and former Chief of Staff at the Danish Prime Minister’s office. 

The energy crisis is intensifying throughout Europe. Since the start of Putin’s war on Ukraine, businesses and consumers alike have been struggling to handle extraordinarily high energy bills. With Nord Stream 1 now fully closed, this trend will only continue and pick up more speed.

Last month, Germany saw energy costs surge to over €1,000 per megawatt hour, whilst France’s nuclear sector, which provides about 70% of the country’s electricity, is also now struggling with lower output, pushing up the country’s energy prices. 

And it’s only early September right now; most of Europe is still enjoying warm temperatures. As the temperature dips in the coming months, demand and bills will increase further.

Meanwhile, the UK’s gas and electricity regulator, Ofgem, has now raised the energy bill price cap to a staggering £3,549 a year, impacting millions of households across the UK during a worsening cost-of-living crisis. This marks an 80% increase and will be unaffordable for the majority of UK households and businesses. 

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EurActiv, 8 Sep 2022: Energy efficiency should be taking centre stage in Europe