Promoting European leadership in the energy transition: Orgalime, EUSEW 2017 Strategic Partner, calls for tangible and timely results on Clean Energy Package

EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the European Union’s foremost annual energy stakeholder conference. Running from 19-25 June 2017, this year’s event comes at a critical moment – as policymakers are busy determining their positions on the first legislative proposals under the Commission’s Clean Energy Package. This makes EUSEW 2017 a unique opportunity to underline the need for rapid and ambitious progress on the package and, in particular, to reaffirm the central importance of energy efficiency in Europe’s move to a low-carbon economy.

EUSEW is an unmissable calendar fixture for Orgalime, the association representing many of the key industry players behind the energy transition. And this year, Orgalime has been selected as a Strategic Partner for the event. “We are honoured to have been chosen as an EUSEW Strategic Partner,” comments Adrian Harris, Director General of Orgalime. “This gives us an excellent platform to promote European leadership in the energy transition. We are convinced that achieving this goal will benefit not just the competitiveness of companies, but the lives of all European citizens.” Orgalime is set to participate in a number of EUSEW events throughout the week: from the Opening Session with Commissioner Arias Cañete and other high-level speakers, to a policy conference on future governance of the Energy Union, to a debate on ‘Flexible Energy Markets – New Players, New Rules’.

Orgalime’s nomination as a Strategic Partner reflects its long-standing engagement in promoting sustainable energy. “The benefits speak for themselves,” explains Mr. Harris. “Sustainable energy is good for the environment – reducing resource consumption and carbon emissions. It is good for consumers, who can manage their own energy consumption while lowering their energy bills. And it is good for industry: it reduces energy dependence and rewards technology leadership. It is also generating growth and jobs in the industry.” For all of these reasons, Orgalime has been advocating fast and comprehensive action on the Clean Energy Package as a significant step towards making EU energy policy fit for the future.

Against this background, events such as EUSEW provide a very welcome forum for stakeholders to come together and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. For Orgalime, this kind of collaboration will be essential in ensuring that the energy transition is a success. European technology manufacturers are ready and more than willing to continue working together with all actors to achieve this shared goal. For legislators, the task must now be to maintain the ambition of the Clean Energy Package. “As the Council prepares its position on the Energy Efficiency Directive and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, we need an energy efficiency target of at least 30%,” underlines Mr. Harris. “And if these targets are to be voluntary, all the more reason why they must be accompanied by strong mandatory measures.” This would entail ensuring a strong Article 7 EED and Article 8 EPBD as a first step. The time for change is now, concludes Mr. Harris: “It’s time to join forces to unlock the benefits of sustainable energy for all Europeans.”