Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate for Energy, is heard by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) in association with the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament in Brussels to test his general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to his portfolio. Statements by Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Ville NIINISTÖ (Greens/EFA, FI), Markus BUCHHEIT (ID, DE) and Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy.

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

KRASNODĘBSKI, Zdzisław (ECR, PL)

hearing of Commissioners

NIINISTÖ, Ville (Greens/EFA, FI)

BUCHHEIT, Markus (ID, DE)

2019 Commissioners' hearings (T)

SIMSON, Kadri (EE, EC)

hearing of Kadri SIMSON 2019 (T)

Hearing of Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy: extracts from the hearing

Title: Hearing of Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy: extracts from the hearing (I-178309) 

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Zdzis&#322;aw KRASNOD&#280;BSKI (ECR, PL), s

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, (on a question of Mr BUZEK)  There is ongoing analyses going on in European Investment Bank about future lending procedures and I think that it is very good that European Investment Bank part of it will become climate bank that gives us a additional funds for needed investments.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, (on a question of Mr ZORRINHO)  This transition fund will be proposed by Commission Ferreira but it shouldn't be only the fund that uses existing possibilities, but it should also use that support of Member countries and bring additional private funding.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, (question from Mr PETERSEN)  We have to keep in mind that the technology has become cheaper during past decade and these projects are soon going to be competitive against market prices, so that is that. There is a chance that they don't need any kind of additional support schemes, but this renewable window here is especially created and designed for promoting cooperation, cross-border cooperation between different Member countries so that not each of us will invest into our own territory, if it's wiser to do it together.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ville NIINIST&#214; (Greens/EFA, FI), We are worried about your great climate credentials since your party rejected to commit Estonia to the net zero carbon strategy by 2050 as you were in government and you have also been a supporter of the oil shale industry in your country.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ville NIINIST&#214; (Greens/EFA, FI), With this background how will you ensure that all member states are for an ambitious climate policy, won't invest in fossil infrastructure and how are you personally committed to these targets?

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, I can say that I will commit 100 percent to thisambition and I do believe that if Estonian government will commit then they will deliver do like they have done with the current targets, and targets for 2030. Estonia belongs to a Green growth group and has been always very ambitious..

SOUNDBITE (German), Markus BUCHHEIT (ID, DE), It's not about private sectors benefiting from fossil fuels being phased out., but it's this package and other packages that are asking the industry to support policies that are in sectors where there are major transitions occurring and surely that's going to have an impact on energy prices because of the transition

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, Energy prices should stay competitive and competitive, it is clear that we can do several things, for example look and support the investments into Grids and and not leave all of those investments for consumers. And we can do more for an open and competitive market, as there are many providers, then the prices should be more affordable for consumers and enterprises. And if our markets are interconnected and they are not yet. There are missing links and bottlenecks, but if they are interconnected then then this helps to provide renewable energy for larger markets.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, (on a question of Mr KRASNODEBSKI)  In the context of gas we are taking very seriously the solidarity aspect. And as you very correctly mentioned and this previous opel case that court ruling that we have to keep in mind, also solidarity aspec.

SOUNDBITE (English), Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy, (on a question of Mr BOTENGA)  I can assure you that the message of young people is very well heard and the action plan to fulfil their expectations will be there. Yes, we need a significant raise of investments into renewables and there are different ways how we can achieve it. One of this will be by EU funds. I already mentioned Horizon Europe, Life program. Another option is to lent private money and lent it with loans.