Friends of the Supergrid (FOSG) welcomes the Commission Regulation proposal on “Guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure” as a major step forward for the acceleration of the building of much needed new electricity infrastructure, including Supergrid. Once built, this infrastructure will allow the integration of large quantities of renewable energy across Europe and will see significant progress towards the creation of the internal electricity market.

FOSG calls on the European Parliament and the Council to adopt the core proposals in this regulation. At a time of economic slowdown, this is the right moment to show political support for the development of  new electricity infrastructure and to prepare for the integration of renewable energy into an open European market from 2020. The Parliament and Council should request from the Commission a new regulation dedicated to the development of a European Supergrid or an Interconnected European Highway System. The development of Supergrid will provide a significant stimulus to European economies, will bring cheaper electricity to European consumers, and will enable Europe’s power sector to be fully decarbonised from 2020.

Speaking in Brussels, FOSG CEO Ana Aguado said: “We welcome this Regulation as it represents major progress towards the creation of a European Supergrid. Supergrid will bring huge benefits to European consumers and its development will be a major stimulus to European economies. This Regulation needs to be accompanied by a common position across Member States to deliver an open market in electricity in this decade which will contribute to the delivery of a sustainable Europe by the mid-21st century”.

FOSG counts on 22 members including: 3E, ACS-Cobra, ALSTOM, CESI, CG, DEME Blue Energy, DONG Energy, Elia, General Electric, Hochtief Solutions AG, INTEL, Mainstream Renewable Power, UK National Grid, Nexans, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Prysmian Cables & Systems, Red Eléctrica of Spain, RTE-France, Siemens, Vattenfall, Visser & Smit Marine Contracting and wpd offshore.

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Notes to editor:

About Friends of the Supergrid

The Friends of the Supergrid (FOSG) is a group of companies and organisations which have a mutual interest in promoting and influencing the policy and regulatory framework required to enable large-scale interconnection in Europe.  With a special insight into the technology needed to create Supergrid the Friends will be empowered to build the know-how to deliver it in practice.

FOSG combines companies in sectors that will deliver the High Voltage infrastructure and related technology, together with companies that will develop, install, own and operate that infrastructure. The Friends will design the physical equipment, and work alongside the companies that will build the structures at sea, so that both are empowered to compete and win.  The risks of providing this new transmission service will be reduced by the early knowledge gained during the policy formation and design stages.

FOSG is able to present ‘cradle to grave’ interconnection solutions to policy makers and others looking to develop energy policy across Europe through to 2050.

http://www.vieuws.eu/member/13-friends-of-the-supergrid/

www.friendsofthesupergrid.eu