The 15 energy projects, which the EC claim “will significantly contribute to the economic recovery of the European Union (EU), while increasing security of energy supply”, comprise six Carbon Capture and Storage projects and nine offshore wind farms. “These award winning innovative energy technology projects will contribute to reaching the binding targets of greenhouse gas emission reduction and renewables by 2020 and beyond,” the Commission said in a press release.
The decision on these 15 projects is the first step towards allocating almost €4 billion set aside by the EU in May 2009 for energy projects to support economic recovery. The landmark agreement on the European Energy Programme for Recovery in May foresaw Union financial assistance to energy projects in the fields of CCS, offshore wind energy and gas and electricity infrastructure.
In its press release, the EC said that “by promoting the technology of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) the Commission recognises the continued importance of fossil fuelled power and the need to adapt to a low carbon energy system”.
Consolidating European wind industry
Meanwhile, Christian Kjaer, CEO of the European Wind Energy Association, expressed his satisfaction at the news. “Measures such as these can contribute to strengthening Europe’s competitive lead in wind energy at a time of economic uncertainty and in which strong financial measures are being taken by governments outside Europe to challenge European companies’ leadership position.”
The announcement has also helped Europe move closer to realizing European Commission President Barroso’s vision of an electricity super grid since over half of the €565 million set aside for offshore wind will be spent on offshore electricity interconnections.
“There is still much work to do, but all these projects are significant steps towards the construction of a European super grid,” added Kjaer. “A European offshore grid would be good news for the consumer as it would dramatically improve competition and move us a step further towards a real internal market in electricity.”
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