S&Ds get across their priorities to vice-president Šefčovič for an Energy Union

Following the adoption on a position paper for an Energy Union, the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament explained their proposal to energy vice-president Maroš Šefčovič yesterday in Strasbourg.

The S&D priorities are:

•           Making the transition to a sustainable, decarbonised economy, based on energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart infrastructure
•           Guaranteeing secure, stable and affordable energy for European industry and citizens, with a particular emphasis on job creation and tackling energy poverty among vulnerable consumers
•           Ensuring security of energy supply and an end on reliance on energy imports for which we pay €420 billion annually, primarily through investing domestically in buildings and transport, increasing the share of home-grown energy such as renewables and building new infrastructure to link up Europe's energy grids in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

S&D vice-president for sustainable development Kathleen Van Brempt said:

"It is vital that we as socialists lead the fight for a progressive energy union with a strong social element, based on pushing the no-regrets options of renewables, energy efficiency and smart infrastructure. In fact these are the most economically efficient options in the long-term."

"We cannot allow the status quo and short-sightedness of the old vested interests to prevail. Now is the time to be bold and put forward our long-term vision for an energy union which really works for citizens and industry alike".

S&D spokesperson in energy, MEP Dan Nica, added:

"We need a forward-looking energy union which really works for both citizens and industry, fighting energy poverty and providing a stable supply of affordable, competitive energy. We have to act now to reduce Europe's debilitating dependence on energy imports from dominant external suppliers, thus reducing our €420 billion annual import bill."

The European Commission will be adopting an Energy Union plan on February 25th.

Read the full S&D position here