Electricity
Intellectuals urge Germany to keep nuclear plants online
“Dear Germany, please keep your nuclear reactors online,” 25 leading foreign and domestic writers, journalists, and intellectuals wrote in a joint letter, warning that dropping nuclear power would only increase Germany's carbon emissions.
10 EU countries back nuclear power in EU green finance taxonomy
“Nuclear power must be part of the solution” to the climate crisis and the rise in energy prices, according to a group of 10 EU countries led by France and Poland who signed a joint opinion article published across major European newspapers on Monday (11 October).
Germany’s SPD pushes for inclusion of gas in EU green finance taxonomy
The role of gas in the energy transition should be reflected in the EU’s green finance taxonomy, according to the economy and energy spokesperson of Germany's social democratic SPD party, which is expected to lead the next German government coalition.
Spanish electricity windfall tax requires a re-think
The 'windfall charge' imposed on Spain’s four largest electricity companies risks having far more negative consequences than the infamous 2013 law that retroactively changed the country's green energy subsidies, argues Christopher Jones.
Spanish energy tax threatens EU’s green hydrogen plans, industry warns
As energy prices soar across Europe, the chairman of electricity giant Iberdrola warned of short-sighted measures in Spain that are threatening the expansion of renewable electricity needed for the production of green hydrogen.
EU climate chief hints that ETS will be left out of ‘toolbox’ to tackle rising energy prices
“Playing around with the emissions trading scheme” would only have a “very small” impact on the current energy price crunch, EU climate chief Frans Timmermans said on Wednesday (6 October) as he walked into a meeting of EU environment ministers in Luxembourg.
The only quick-fix to Europe’s energy price crisis is saving energy
Faced with rising energy prices, the only thing Europe can quickly do to prevent a potentially difficult winter is to actively promote energy conservation in both the residential and industrial sectors, write Simone Tagliapietra and Georg Zachmann.
France, Spain urge pan-European response to energy price surge
France and Spain on Monday (4 October) called for a coordinated European response to the surge in global energy prices to protect Europe's poorest citizens, the competitiveness of its businesses and its 2050 plan to cut greenhouse emissions.
Why Europe is facing an energy price surge
Prices for gas and electricity are soaring in Europe as winter approaches, forcing governments to react. Here is what's behind the price increase:
Spain wants EU ‘menu’ of measures to combat power price surges
Spain urged the European Commission on Monday (20 September) to devise guidance to help member states react consistently to power price spikes without testing the rules of the bloc, and suggested moves to limit carbon market speculators and build up gas reserves.
As energy prices spike, EU points to long-term fixes
The European Commission is monitoring the evolution of electricity prices “very closely,” said the EU’s energy commissioner Kadri Simson, pointing to long-term fixes like investments in energy savings and renewables as the main answer at European level.
Time for EU and UK to step up cooperation on offshore wind
With the COP26 coming up, now is the time for the EU to engage with the UK to set an ambitious political objective that would help accelerate progress in developing offshore wind in the North Seas, write Simon Skillings and...
Spanish power companies clash with government over measures to reduce electricity bill
Spain’s biggest power companies, such as Iberdrola and Endesa, have warned against any intervention in the electricity market by the Spanish state, after the socialist government’s decision to implement urgent measures to bring down soaring energy bills, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Record high power prices make case for faster green transition, EU says
Record high power prices in European Union countries show the bloc must wean itself off fossil fuels and speed up the transition to green energy, the EU's top climate change official said on Tuesday (14 September).
A giant leap towards energy sustainability: The African single electricity market
Creating a single electricty market across Africa is an immmense task, but will mean cheaper, reliable and renewable electricity, increasing the number of people who have access to power, writes Johan van den Berg.
Spain moves again to curb soaring power prices
Spain's left-wing government approved Tuesday (14 September) a fresh package of measures, including a tax cut, to curb soaring household electricity bills that have hurt businesses and angered voters.
Spanish government to present measures to bring down soaring electricity prices
Spain's executive will “imminently” present a new package of urgent measures to reduce the fast increase of electricity prices on the wholesale market, the Spanish government announced on Tuesday (7 September). EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Trust, not control: Germany, EVs and the power of consumer choice
Faced with the challenge of integrating electric vehicles without jeopardising power system reliability, Germany's federal energy ministry started work with distribution system operators on a new tariff design. What followed is a cautionary tale, write Andreas Jahn, Jaap Burger, Jan Rosenow.
Lights out for inefficient bulbs under new EU standards
Certain fluorescent and halogen light bulbs are being banned as of Wednesday (1 September) as new ecodesign and labelling rules come into force across the European Union.
Industry: European electricity grid can handle 50 million heat pumps
Electric heat pumps can be deployed on a large scale in Europe without jeopardising grid stability while allowing greater integration of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency in buildings, according to the CEOs of major energy groups, including Spain’s Iberdrola, Italy’s Enel and France’s EDF.
VW, Daimler, Volvo team up to build truck chargers
The truck manufacturing units of Volkswagen, Daimler and Volvo announced Monday (5 July) they will team up to build a network of 1,700 charging points for heavy-duty vehicles in Europe using green electricity.
‘UK’s first’ grid-scale battery storage system comes online in Oxford
A 50MW lithium-ion battery energy storage system has come online in Cowley, on the outskirts of Oxford, in what is described as a UK first. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
French senators give mayors right to veto wind turbine projects
Senators adopted an amendment Friday (18 June) giving municipalities the right to veto a wind turbine project as part of the currently debated Climate and Resilience Law. EURACTIV France reports.