MEPs debate with the Council and the Commission the “REPowerEU” strategy, presented on 8 March, and designed to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas. The strategy also includes measures to tackle the surge in energy prices and to replenish gas stocks for next winter

debate

plenary session

energy efficiency (T)

energy union (T)

European Green Deal (T)

BEAUNE, Clément (FR)

The Power of the EU – Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy: extracts from the debate

External view of the European Parliament (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State for European Affairs, The European Union imports 45 percent of its gas from Russia and 25 percent of oil, 45 percent of our coal imports.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State for European Affairs, Security of supply is assured for the end of this winter and for the coming months, both for gas and for oil. This is a strong, reassuring message

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State for European Affairs, We need to accelerate our reduction of dependency. We need to diversify in a coordinated fashion with supply of our energy, and we need to speed up the energy transition measures, a dependent continent is a weak continent.

SOUNDBITE (French), Cl&#233;ment BEAUNE, French Minister of State for European Affairs, the European Council meeting starting this afternoon, all of these subjects will be dealt with on the basis of the proposals made less than 48 hours ago by the European Commission, reducing dependency, diversification of supply, extra investment that's required, ensuring that we can in fact master the promises possible price caps the way the market works. Nothing can be taboo in such exceptional circumstances.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, The war has had a ripple effect on Europe's energy policy and energy security. And it's now moving into a new era. It is now clearer than ever that we need to move even faster to reshape our energy system and bring our dependence on Russian energy to to the end as soon as possible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, We have succeeded in building a dense, well, interconnected and resilient energy network which has effectively prevented damaging disruptions of energy supply, including under current difficult political circumstances.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, We must be in charge of our own energy future and that means that we cannot let any third country destabilise our energy markets nor influence our energy choices. This year, we need to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels imported through diversification of supplies and greater reliance on LNG and energy savings.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Renewables are a perfect solution for Europe, they are home grown, they create jobs and they spur innovation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, We cannot boost renewables at the scale we need if it takes years and years to authorise a single project. Therefore, the commission will propose a ways to simplify and shorten permitting and authorisation, promote the take up of corporate power purchase agreements, and develop a European solar energy supply chain, said the pillar of the communication is on affordability.

SOUNDBITE (German), Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), We need to reduce our dependency on Putin, of course, we need to strengthen our purchasing power in general. Coal and nuclear power should provide a transition, a bridge. We need to make sure we have security of supply. So the extent of infrastructures, important LNG first and hydrogen later, we're really pushing forward on that.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Patrizia TOIA (S&amp;D, IT), Today, we are being called by history to make a qualitative leap in terms of our energy policy to build an energy union, which had already been discussed. And we need to do this with extraordinary measures and with nothing being taboo. We do need price capping mechanisms, if our economies are not to be brought to their knees and families are not to be brought into poverty.

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Morten PETERSEN (Renew Europe, DK), We have to speed up renewable energies, not just onshore, but offshore as well. These new sources of energy, of course, then can be developed in the interests of Europe. We have to make sure that we're producing energy closer to where the citizens are consuming it. We need to maybe look at how we can change things moving away from Putin, and the only way to do things is to work together to show solidarity and allow the commission to everything they can to stop Putin.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ville NIINIST&#214; (Greens/EFA, FI), We in the Greens appreciate the commission and acting on diversification of fossil fuel supplies and introducing a gas storage application to keep us warm next winter.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ville NIINIST&#214; (Greens/EFA, FI), So we need joint purchases, better coordination and cooperation and solidarity between member states to act on high energy prices. But we also need to haisten our investment in renewables and energy efficiency. We call on member states to do more to support vulnerable households using flexibilities in the existing framework.