In the European Commission, I had to swear on the Draghi report. This report underscores the importance of energy due to high prices and their impact on competitiveness. We pay 2-3 times more for energy than competitors in the US and China.
Our citizens are struggling to pay their energy bills; 47 million Europeans last year were unable to adequately heat their homes. This is unacceptable. We need to lower prices and become independent of Russian fossil fuels.
The action plan offers solutions such as faster adoption of renewable energy and energy savings. In 2025, we can save €45 billion, increasing to €130 billion annually by 2030 and €260 billion by 2040. Between now and 2040, we can save a total of €2.5 trillion.
Faster permitting for renewable energy projects is crucial. Simple projects should get permits within 6 months. For more complex projects, we aim for no more than 2 years.
We also need to decouple gas and electricity prices by using financial instruments like PPAs and CFDs. Greater cooperation within Europe will help reduce costs.
Improving energy infrastructure is essential; we need to better utilize networks and increase capacity. This requires significant investments.
Finally, we must increase transparency in gas markets and consider joint gas purchases, inspired by the Japanese model.
The Action Plan for Affordable Energy aims for faster and cheaper deployment of renewable energy. Thank you for your attention.