2020/2050 Perspectives for Energy in the EU

Full text: The objective of this presentation is to highlight the current and potential future roles of energy in achieving the goals of the EU 2020/2050 energy and climate policy. The relation between the achievement of these goals and the needs for further decarbonisation of energy supply is evaluated in a 2050 perspective. It is shown that the real issue is to strive for cost-effectiveness of solutions, involving both decarbonisation and efficiency measures. High shares of low-carbon electricity can be achieved in the EU by 2050 without unreasonable costs while limiting fossil fuel dependency by applying on the demand side measures related to energy efficiency, transport, co-generation, and on the supply side measures related to the use of all low carbon options, i.e. renewables, nuclear power plants, CCS and CO2 efficient fossil fuels. Renewable energy and energy efficiency measures are by no means sufficient to substitute for a phasing out of nuclear power plants. In contrary, in order to achieve a sustained and secure electricity supply under the constraints of the EU energy and climate policy goals, significant amounts of new nuclear generating capacity need to be deployed in Europe over the next few decades. An estimate of corresponding needs is given. Finally, the European Commission's actions towards creating an EU-wide framework for a responsible use of nuclear energy are presented together with current trends on both, EU and Member State levels. (author)