EUSEW: strong clean tech supply chains needed to meet climate goals
As part of EU Sustainable Energy Week 2025, our Senior Adviser on Energy, Climate and Innovation, Laure Dulière, moderated a discussion on clean tech value chains, followed by an interactive game.
She was joined by the following speakers:
- Jacek Truszczynski – Deputy Head of Unit 'Net Zero Industries' European Commission, DG GROW
- Aleksandra Waliszewska – Senior Researcher Industrial Decarbonisation - Climate Policy Expert, E3G
- Ralph Kleinschmidt – Head of Technology & Innovation, Thyssenkrupp Uhde
- Kristoffer Jansson – Communications & Brand Manager, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, Finland
- Sandra Lindström – Environmental and Public Affairs Manager at Boliden Smelters
It was an interesting and informative panel with lively discussions on topics such as sourcing raw materials, the complexity and challenges for the clean tech sector’s value chains and how strengthening clean tech could help Europe reach its climate targets.
Energy prices still too high
One issue that was repeatedly flagged as a stumbling block for clean tech projects was the high price of energy in Europe.
First, Ralph Kleinschmidt identified high energy prices as one of the major roadblocks to investments in decarbonisation projects in Europe, which are currently often delayed or not finalised. He also mentioned overly complex regulation, uncertainty on the market (especially for hydrogen) and permits as other blockers.
Jacek Truszczyński agreed that energy prices in Europe are higher than in other developed countries and discussed the measures that the Commission has taken to try to lower them. In the short term, they have instructed member states to look carefully at their taxes and tariffs on electricity. They've also been working with the European Investment Bank to provide guarantees for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which should help bring costs down for large consumers.
As for long-term measures, he stated that the only way to lower the costs in Europe is to accelerate the deployment of renewables and ensure that the grid is functioning optimally and projects are linked up efficiently.
“We have to get our act together on the deployment of renewables. We need to ensure that permits are sped up and increased. They are a big bottleneck currently.”
This has been the message from major renewable associations for years and it would also be of benefit to Europe's technology industries, so it is heartening to hear that the Commission is receiving the message loud and clear.
The business case needs to be clear
Aleksandra Waliszewska raised the very valid point that companies need to see clear signals that investing in decarbonised technologies makes business sense, saying that companies need both push and pull policies. In Europe, we have focused mostly on the push side through climate targets, but that comes with competitiveness concerns, especially if globally others don't follow. What is needed is more pull.
From Orgalim's point of view, lowering the price of energy and simplifying regulation would go a long way toward creating a pull for Europe's technology industries to increase their investment in decarbonisation technologies.
Kristoffer Jansson discussed the challenges that organisations face when their projects are the first to use a new technology, as it raises questions from the authorities when requesting the permits. Simpler permitting processes would benefit everybody.
Sandra Lindström raised the issue of global competition for raw materials for clean tech. It is crucial to diversify and strengthen the supply chain and ensure we can retrieve raw materials from recycled waste, which is currently stymied by obstacles related to the waste shipment rules and customs taxes.
To sum up, strengthening clean tech value chains would help the EU achieve its climate targets but to do that, industry needs:
- Lower-cost energy
- Faster permitting
- Reduced administrative burden for investment
- Easier access to waste for recycling raw materials
- Stronger supply chains in the EU and worldwide.
Strengthening clean tech value chains is not just an industrial policy — it is climate policy. And it needs to be a priority.