Thank you, Mr Chairman!
This is my first time back in a large plenary room since the hearing. People often asked me if I was able to sleep during the preparation phase, and I always answered, yes, I sleep like a baby.
Thank you for the collaboration, both before and after the hearing.
We have begun the real work, and I cherish the collaboration with many of you, both bilaterally and with the groups and the Committee.
I look forward to the exchange of ideas today. It is an opportunity to highlight what we are planning from the Commissions side, and to receive your questions and input.
Much has happened since December. We live in interesting times, which shows that we should be glad to have the European Union. No single country can tackle the current challenges alone.
We must stand shoulder to shoulder and collaborate. It is important to send a clear signal to our citizens and the world that we in the EU tackle challenges together.
This also applies to our energy collaboration. We are better connected and more rational than other regions.
Despite many challenges, we must remember our strengths. When seeking solutions, we must be careful not to undermine our strong position.
For the Energy Union, this means we need to strengthen it. There is a paradox in that we once started as a Coal and Steel Community, yet there is much more integration possible, especially in energy.
Looking at our electricity infrastructure, we are better connected than other regions, but there is potential for improvement.
We need to be better connected, both physically and regulatively. Countries should better utilize legislation and neighboring energy production and sharing.
If all countries met our 70% transmission target, we would be better off.
With digitalization, AI, and better planning, we can reduce curtailment. In Germany alone, curtailment costs 4 billion euros annually.
During last years heatwave, the crisis was worsened by uncoordinated maintenance. With better coordination, such problems can be avoided.
There are many quick wins, but there are also structural, long-term decisions needed.
We must review our permitting rules. During the crisis, rule changes sped things up.
However, in general, progress is too slow. Last year, we installed more renewable energy than ever, but it must be faster.
This will be central to the Affordable Energy Action Plan I will present next week as part of the Clean Industrial Deal.
We will address every issue hindering us from reducing fossil fuel dependency and decarbonizing our economy.
Renewable energy does not worsen our competitiveness. From 2021 to 2023, we saved 100 billion euros due to renewable energy.
We are working hard to address barriers, and the plan I present will include many targeted measures that make a difference in the short and long term.
The issue of Russian energy remains significant. We have reduced our gas reliance from Russia, but more needs to be done.
Next month, the Commission will propose a roadmap for independence from Russian fuel.
There are many other plans, but I have already taken too much time. I hope to discuss them during your questions.
On housing, which is important for many in this Committee, we will present the Affordable Housing Action Plan next year.
We are working on state aid rules and a pan-European investment platform with the EiB. We aim to allocate more cohesion funds to housing.
I welcome your comments and am ready to answer questions!
Thank you!