Brussels, 15 December 2015 – Friends of the Supergrid (FOSG), Europe’s largest industrial alliance for electricity interconnections, expresses its enthusiasm on the adoption of the Paris Agreement that is of major importance for the future of our planet. The Agreement signals the beginning of a new renewable energy era. Implementing the Supergrid is a concrete and realistic solution to interconnect cities and these large amounts of renewables, reducing the need for fossil fuels.

The European Parliament’s (EP) Report “Achieving the 10% electricity interconnection target – Making Europe’s electricity grid fit for 2020”, adopted by the EP today, brings the EU a step closer to achieving a pan-European grid able to connect areas of production with areas of high demand where citizens need their power in a cost-efficient way.

FOSG appreciates the EP for stressing the effective implementation of fast-track permitting procedures for European Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and for encouraging the European Commission (EC) to assess the potential of a single ‘one-stop shop’ at EU level. Such a ‘one-stop-shop’ procedure is of utmost importance for the effective implementation of the needed interconnections in Europe.

FOSG notes the EP’s criticism that the PCI lists must be developed in a more transparent and accountable way and that their implementation needs to be monitored very closely.

The 10% interconnection target by 2020 is a first step in a long term vision perspective for the development of the electricity interconnectors and will provide investors with more predictability and stability. Further targets based on the specific situation in each region and other concrete measures will be crucial to ensure Europe’s implementation of the Paris Agreement.

FOSG invites the EC to take into account the main recommendations made by the EP when issuing the planned Communication on achieving the 15% interconnection target and the forthcoming revision of the Energy Infrastructure Regulation, to which FOSG will actively contribute.

Press contact:

Marta Navarrete – Marta.navarrete@fosg.eu – +32 2 546 74 63