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EU taxonomy shows the need to reform Europe’s electricity system
(EurActiv, 17 Feb 2022) The battle around the inclusion of nuclear and gas in the EU sustainable finance taxonomy shows the importance of EU countries defining their own energy mix, particularly as Europe aims to introduce more intermittent renewables, writes Marc Deffrennes.
Marc Deffrennes is a retired European Commission official and founder of We Care, which promotes clean, affordable and reliable energy for societal sustainability.
The taxonomy saga reinforced the major divergences within the EU on the ideal or possible energy mix in a carbon constrained world, where the EU wants to be a role model.
The concept of sustainability only limited to “green” environmental considerations is flawed. Instead, the wider concept of societal sustainability is needed.
For energy, it should be based on a sound balance between three pillars: (i) environment protection, (ii) economics & affordability, (iii) security & reliability of supply. One might give more weight to one pillar, but a balance is necessary otherwise it is not sustainable for society.
Going from “A Clean Planet for All” to the “Green Deal” is symptomatic of the profound influence of the “green” concept in the EU Institutions. This is counterproductive, even dangerous for European cohesion at a time when it is so needed at wider international level.
Environmental considerations need to be handled with the greatest care, but other parameters have to be considered on an equal footing. “Green” is not sustainable on its own.
The “green” lobby is leading the dash for intermittent renewables, reflected at the EU level by ever-increasing targets. But wind and sun are intermittent and require backup installations.
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EurActiv, 17 Feb 2022: EU taxonomy shows the need to reform Europe’s electricity system
