European Union (EU) Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson held a press conference on the ⁇ EU Energy Union 2024 ⁇ report in Brussels, where the steps taken by Europe in energy transformation were evaluated.
Reminding that AB ⁇ has been rapidly progressing in renewable energy installation in the last two years, Simson said that in the first half of 2024, wind and solar energy broke new records and surpassed fossil fuels for the first time in electricity production.
Simson pointed to the importance of market integration, grid and infrastructure investments to ensure the proliferation of renewable energy sources.
Stating that they managed to end the decades-long dependence on Russian fossil fuels, Simson noted that in the past, AB ⁇ imported 150 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia every year, which now falls below 50 billion cubic meters.
Simson stated that our dependence on ⁇ Russia ⁇ decreased from 45 percent in 2021 ⁇ to 15 percent last year ⁇ .
Reminding that EU gas tanks reached 90 percent occupancy weeks before the targeted date of November 1, Simson emphasized that Avrupa ⁇ reduced its gas consumption by 18 percent between 2022 and 2024.
The next five years are critical.
Simson pointed out that the next 5 years are critical for AB ⁇ to achieve clean energy transformation, fulfill its climate commitments and maintain the competitiveness of its industry.
"We are determined to complete the phased removal of Russian gas without threatening the security of Europe's energy supply," Simson said, adding that AB ⁇ is ready to proceed without Russian gas from the Ukrainian transit route.
Stating that energy is still very expensive in Europe, Simson said that high energy prices affect the international competitiveness of Europe, especially against China and the USA.
Emphasizing that energy prices are working hard to reduce from the peak level in 2022, Simson said that structural problems should be addressed at this stage.
Simson stated that the main method to reduce prices is to accelerate the installation of renewable energy.
Stating that they need to provide more support to energy infrastructure and grid development, Simson said that they need to turn more towards clean energy and import less fossil fuels to guarantee competitiveness, supply security and economic resilience.
