The European green transition will be more difficult for some of the member states, believes the spokesperson of the European Commission, Tim McPhee. 30% of the European budget in the coming years will be set aside for the implementation of the policies envisaged by the European “green deal” and in particular the “Ready for 55” package, said the spokesperson.
The European Commission is discussing and will propose reforms to the gas market in December. This became clear during an online seminar on the topic: “Energy prices and green transition”, organized by the EC representation in Bulgaria.
There is already an opinion from the European gas operator on this matter with recommendations on how to effectively integrate hydrogen into the gas infrastructure so that the objectives of the EU Green Deal are met.
The EC spokesperson confirmed the conclusions reached so far, that the most difficult sector is transport, where there is almost no progress, but the goal is very high – a reduction of emissions by 55% by 2035 and zero levels by 2050. For the faster achievement for this purpose, however, the EC bets on supporting the construction of the necessary infrastructure, including the construction of charging stations. All this is already being worked on, assured the spokesperson of the EC.
In a slightly more distant future, the inclusion of shipping and aviation is also envisaged. As is known in this sector, reducing emissions is the most difficult to achieve.
Energy is at the heart of the green transition, and for several years work has been underway to increase the share of RES, whose share in final consumption should reach 40% in 2030. Regarding the energy efficiency of buildings, the goal is 49% use of green energy during the same period. The European Commission is also looking for new ways to reduce emissions.
Specifically for Bulgaria, McPhee explained that the funds provided for in the European budget amount to 2.7 billion euros. The expectation is for specific investments in RES in our country of the order of 142 million euros in the next ten years.
The greater the participation of RES in the energy mix, the more the prices fall, since electricity from RES is the cheapest, experts specify. So real, if the tendency to use RES for own production accelerates, as well as the creation of energy communities, the effect will be to lower price levels.
The introduction of smart grids is also important for the future energy system and the greening of energy. For this purpose, huge investments in the electricity transmission and distribution network will be needed.
McPhee said that the EC is not yet ready with its proposals regarding the taxonomy, but in the coming weeks it will be announced what exactly will be done in the case of natural gas and nuclear power.
“We proposed the first wave of taxonomic regulations, and now heated discussions and political debates are taking place. We will make proposals and by the end of the year I hope they will be presented, McPhee also shared.
We remind you that a number of countries, including Bulgaria, have joined in a declaration through which they insist that nuclear energy be accepted as a transitional fuel in the process of decarbonization of the economy.