10/21/2021

Affordable renewable energy is the lifeblood of the European energy-intensive industries

Ahead of the upcoming European Council Summit, 10 European organisations want to remind the heads of EU states and governments that affordable clean energy is the lifeblood of the European industry.

For Europe’s competitiveness on a global scale, the achievement of the “Fit for 55” goals and the transition towards the 2050 climate neutrality objective, it is essential to support measures that enable the availability of abundant and reliable decarbonised energy at affordable cost.

European energy-intensive industries directly employ around 2.6 million people. They represent the foundations of many critical and strategic value chains and are deeply rooted in European society providing technologies, solutions and materials to every possible economic sector.

The undersigned organisations support the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU’s ambition of becoming climate neutral by 2050. Access to abundant and reliable renewable energy at affordable cost is an essential framework condition to realise these goals.

Energy costs constitute the most prominent share of the industrial production and activity costs. Therefore, persistently and exceedingly high energy prices are a real-world threat to both the European industry’s ability to continue production and to stay competitive in a global market.

The lasting impact of the current crisis is deeply concerning. It endangers the European industry’s post-pandemic recovery and their capacity to invest in further industrial transformation before 2030 to achieve the climate targets.
Today, we call on the heads of EU states and governments to adopt policy measures capable of ensuring the industry’s access to affordable renewable energy, accompanied by support for energy efficient solutions.

Signatories

Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council
Cepi, the Confederation of European Paper Industries
Cerame-Unie, the European Ceramic Industry Association
COGEN Europe, the European Association for the Promotion of Cogeneration
European Aluminium
EXCA, the European Expanded Clay Association
Glass Alliance Europe, the European Alliance of Glass Industries
IFIEC Europe, the International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers
SolarPower Europe
WindEurope