Ref. Ares(2020)5277096 - 06/10/2020
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
Dialogue with Energy Intensive Industries
Informal high-level brainstorming with energy-intensive industries
8 June 2018, 8h30-10h00, BERL, 13th floor, Salon 2
Speaking points for Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete opening statement
x Dear industrial leaders, dear colleagues
x Let me first of all thank you for having accepted our invitation to
this brainstorming breakfast.
1)
Industrial competitiveness is at the heart of the economy and
energy plays a key role in the competitiveness of energy-intensive
industries. Therefor I would like to discuss with you today the two
aspects: on the one hand (1) the new opportunities for
competitiveness resulting from decarbonisation, based on
efficiency innovation and on the other hand (2) the need for a
strong industrial base in Europe to make the energy transition
happen through equipment and high-quality products.
2) Europe starts from a position of strength.
Economic growth is
decoupled from energy consumption and from greenhouse gas
emissions. We have the Energy Union framework; we are on track
to achieve the 2020 targets and are close to finalising the agreement
on the targets for 2030.
x Today we know the largest share of emissions reduction will be
achieved through electrification, with a strong contribution from
renewable energies, and energy efficiency.
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
x The industrial sector has achieved impressive emissions
reduction. GHG emission from energy intensive industries have
decreased by more than 30% compared to1990 levels.
x Energy intensity decreased significantly in most of them e.g. by
30% in the chemical industries and by 16% in the steel industry
between 2000 and 2015. In the years 1990-2010, innovation in
the steel sector led to a 25% cut in CO2 emissions, exceeding the
economy-wide GHG reduction of 17%.
x According to our analysis, in the long term, industry will
decarbonise at a similar rate as the rest of the economy.
x We expect the value added of the industrial sector in the EU to
keep increasing until 2050. As the industrial sector continues to
expand, energy intensity will further decrease. In 2050, it will
take half the energy needed - compared to the year 2000 - to
produce the same value added. On the other and,
industry will
use almost one quarter more electricity in 2050 compared to
2000.
3) At the same time, in order to achieve the clean energy transition,
we need
a strong industrial base in Europe. The Clean energy
transition is a new industrial opportunity:
x According to our estimates, at EU-level, it is estimated that €379
bn investment will be needed annually for the period 2020-2030
to achieve the European Energy and Climate targets for 2030.
This will lead to an increase of GDP by approximately 1% and
create almost 1 million new jobs.
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
x With the Clean Energy for All Europeans package we put on the
table the most advanced regulatory framework to enable these
investments.
x In many fields the EU is already a clear leader. But we are not
the only one with the ambition to lead the development of clean
and are fully aware that the competition will be fierce.
4) Looking at the
longer term, as you know, the Commission has
been invited by the Council to prepare a Proposal for a Long-Term
Decarbonisation Strategy, an important step in the implementation
of the Paris Agreement. We are preparing to put this strategy on the
table ahead of the next, 24th, Conference of Parties in Katowice.
x In this context, I am pleased to exchange views and ideas with
you during today's breakfast.
x [I'm aware you have already started discussing your vision for
the Long-Term Decarbonisation together with the services of the
Commission (notably through the work of the High Level Expert
Group on Energy Intensive Industries).]
x Regarding the consultative process to develop the Long-Term
Strategy, a
public consultation will soon be launched and a
High-Level Event will be organised in Brussels on
10-11 July.
