Published: July 19, 2008
MEPs Urge Action on Renewable Energy
MEPs Urge Sarkozy and Barroso to Back Euro-Med Supergrid and Mediterranean Solar Plan
A cross-party group of MEPs, 25 in all, have sent a letter to Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the European Council, and to José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, urging the Council and Commission to take action to promote renewable energy and to support the development of the infrastructure that will be required.
German Green MEP Rebecca Harms and Finnish MEP Sirpa Pietkäinen have issued a joint comment on their initiative:
"There is huge potential for renewable energy from solar, wind, wave, hydro and geothermal sources in Europe and the Mediterranean. We are convinced that a 'supergrid' that would enable local renewable sources to contribute towards energy needs in their wider region. Europe's mountain rivers offer immense potential for energy storage, further increasing security of supply. The major hurdle to harness this potential is not technical know-how but political will.
We call upon the Council and the Commission to investigate the prospects of a 'supergrid' and to identify possible sites for large- scale solar power plants in Southern Europe. The Council and the Commission must show that they are serious about the fight against climate change. In light of rising fossil fuel prices and given the numerous risks of nuclear power, it is high time for a major shift to renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, and water."
German Green MEP Rebecca Harms added:
"The French 'plan solaire' proposals need to be combined with the discussions about the 'Union for the Mediterranean'. We want to draw Mr. Sarkozy's attention to the huge potential of renewable energy sources. Nuclear cannot be the answer to our future energy supply. He should show leadership as President of the European Council and refrain from pushing the business interests of the French nuclear industry while concerns remain on the safety of nuclear technology and the risk of proliferation."
Finnish PPE-ED MEP Sirpa Pietkäinen said:
"Europe has a wonderful opportunity to combine the objectives of sustainable development in Africa and non-polluting energy for the benefit of both sides of the Mediterranean. The EU has a 5-10 year window of opportunity to solve the challenges posed by climate change, and to build our energy supply and economies on a sustainable base. This will also have a positive effect on European industry. The decisions to act have to be taken now. The green energy initiative needs to be put into practice already during the French presidency."
More information about the Euro-Med supergrid and Mediterranean Solar Plan may be found at http://www.desertec.org/ and http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/.
The text of the letter to Presidents Sarkozy and Barroso may be downloaded from
http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/resources/letter_to_barroso_and_sarkozy_en.pdf
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