The Electrification Alliance presented a new Manifesto outlining key policies to accelerate the uptake of direct, smart electrification in Europe. The Manifesto calls for a dedicated Electrification Action Plan in the first 100 days of the incoming European Commission’s mandate.
This Electrification Action Plan should set a target of 35% electrification of final energy use across the EU by 2030. It should ensure electrification becomes an integral element of Member States’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
The Manifesto also calls on the incoming Commission to ramp up investments in electricity grids. Europe needs to overhaul its energy infrastructure planning – starting with an immediate reform of the TEN-E Regulation and Ten-Year Network Development Plan processes for both transmission and distribution system operators. Crucially, grid planning needs better coordination and more political oversight to ensure it delivers on net zero.
Other concrete policy actions in the Manifesto include programmes to attract skilled workers, the prioritisation of direct, smart electrification in the EU’s funding and financing programmes and the empowerment of end-users to utilise the full potential of demand side management.
The European Association of Electrical Contractors, Avere, Eurelectric, the European Climate Foundation, the European Copper Institute, the European Heat Pump Association, the Renewable Grid Initiative, smartEN – Smart Energy Europe, SolarPower Europe and WindEurope have joined forces to launch the Electrification Alliance. Together they call on European policymakers and businesses to recognise renewable and clean electricity as the key energy carrier for an efficient and decarbonised European future.
