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Opinion | Philippe Masset, Director Europe and International of ADEME (France)
The growing demand for energy and raw materials, the climate change and the current global health crisis have made the ecological transition a global strategic challenge. The scripting of climate and environmental policies, dialogue and cooperation between states have become necessary and the international dimension is now an indispensable component of national and European policies. The political landscape and European intervention programmes are changing. The proposal for a new EU funding framework and the launch of the "Green Deal" have changed the European multiannual programming for 2021-2027 in order to achieve a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050 and the coherence of the Member States in the application of their national low-carbon strategies.
For several years, national energy agencies – whose role is central to facilitating the energy transition – have been developing and implementing public policies and programmes for the renovation of buildings and in the industrial sector in each Member State and in developing countries helping them to define adapted energy and climate policies, all of which contribute to the European strategy and high level dialogues with other continents.
The EnR network seeks to strengthen cooperation between member agencies and other actors on all issues relevant to sustainable energy (energy efficiency, sustainable transport and renewable energy). Sharing knowledge and best practices is an essential part of EnR network activities and energy agencies dedicate their efforts towards joint activities where their unique character provides added value at both a European and individual Member State level. The network provides a channel for pan-European technical support on matters of energy policy, strategy, evaluation, programme design & delivery and communications.
Phillipe Masset
Director Europe and International of ADEME
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Interview | Carlos Zorrinho, Member of the European Parliament
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How do you believe national energy agencies can contribute to the EU-Africa relationship on energy and climate?
Facing the challenges and obstacles posed by the increasing degree of conflict in the world, approaches based on networking, multilateral and peer-to-peer cooperation are decisive to promote the policies that determine people's well-being and the objectives of sustainable development. National energy agencies have the opportunity to network and empower partner agencies in Africa, thus making an important contribution to strengthening EU-Africa cooperation on energy and climate.
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What role do young people and transcontinental youth networks can play in the EU-Africa relationship on energy and climate?
With the youngest population on the planet, and enormous potential resources, Africa can be the greatest beneficiary of the energy transition, contributing to the reduction of emissions and to the eradication of poverty. For this to happen, it is essential to create decent living conditions for young Africans, particularly in terms of access to nutrition, education and health, as the basis for a systematic intercontinental exchange that will structurally strengthen the EU-Africa partnership on energy and climate.
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Interview | Frédéric Boyer, Head of the Covenant of Mayors – Europe, Energy Cities
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Considering the role of cooperation for the energy transition, how can city networks encourage multi-level cooperation and partnership practices to reduce energy consumption?
Solving the unprecedented crisis our society is living requires a better coordination between public authorities at local, regional, national and European level. The Covenant of Mayors has successfully strengthened the so-called “multi-level cooperation” on climate and energy. The mention of the Cities’ Energy Saving Sprint, launched by our Office last May, as a key initiative of the European Commission’s communication “Save gas for a safe winter” published on 20th July, confirms the key role of cities in driving Europe’s energy and climate transition.
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What role do you believe national energy agencies can play to boost cooperation among different levels of government and public actors, including to facilitate cooperation between the municipalities?
Not only National Energy Agencies play a crucial role in supporting municipalities to design and implement ambitious climate and energy policies at local level, but they also are instrumental in bridging national policies with local challenges and capacities.
Member States are about to revise their National Energy and Climate Plans to match Europe’s 2050 climate-neutrality ambition, the energy crisis is raging, and municipalities are ready to contribute. In this context, National Energy Agencies have lots to deliver, and EnR is well placed to support their efforts.
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EnR meets to discuss national and local level action on sustainable use of water and energy
The European Energy Network (EnR) held its first in person meeting in over 2 years in Lisbon on June 7-8. After a first day of fruitful discussion on collaborative action between Energy Agencies, on the second day, the network hosted a seminar on energy and water sustainable management and use at a national and local policy level, opening the discussion to a broader audience of energy and water efficiency related stakeholders.
During the debates, EnR agencies highlighted the need to start addressing sufficiency and changes to our lifestyles, and to lead by example, as a powerful public engagement tool. The power of city networks to leverage more impactful climate action at a faster pace was also addressed.
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High-Level EU-Africa policy-makers roundtable @ Africa Energy Forum 2022
In a joint organization with the EC, EnR organized a roundtable at aef2022, on June 22, looking at EU-Africa cooperation prospects towards achievement of SDG7 and NetZero targets. High level representatives and government officials from 13 African countries discussed the massive potential for renewables and investment needs.
Representatives of financial institutions highlighted collective responsibility and the need to address the entire energy supply & value chains. It is pivotal to go beyond “just” access to energy, and address the productive use of energy, the affordable cost of energy and the reliability of grids, very important points for Africa. It’s not just the issue of having mere access, it’s the quality of access provided that matters.
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Industry Working Group meet at eceee Summer Study 2022
Last June 7, within the 2022 eceee Summer Study, the EnR Industry Working Group Agencies organized a side event with representatives of Universities, European and National Associations, Research Institutes on the topic of Energy Audits and Energy Efficiency policy implementation with a specific focus on three European Countries.
Representatives from five EnR member agencies (Austria, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Sweden) provided insights to frame the discussion by presenting lessons learnt from policy implementation in their respective countries and how it can leverage decarbonization targets.
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EnR consumer survey on water efficiency labelling schemes
The EnR’s task force on Water-Energy Nexus is conducting a European wide consumer survey on European population’s perception of labelling schemes for water efficiency in the taps&showers market.
Aiming to provide input to the discussion within the EC and industry stakeholders about the mandatory option (through the EU energy label) and the voluntary option (through the agreement between industry and EC), EnR developed the survey currently ongoing to determine consumer views on how labelling can affect their choices.
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MALTA
Launch of the WE MAKE Project
EWA, in collaboration with the Malta Business Bureau and the Malta Chamber for Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, has launched a new project – WE MAKE (Water and Energy Management and Knowledge Transfer in Manufacturing Enterprises) - where businesses within the manufacturing industry will be given more guidance on how to consume energy and water efficiently.
This project aims to assist the industry in order to identify energy and water improvement opportunities and pair these project ideas with suitable financing schemes. Knowledge sharing is an important pillar of the project. Large enterprises who carried out best practice interventions will be promoted to project mentors in order to guide smaller enterprises take up similar investments.
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HUNGARY
The Hungarian electricity system reaches another milestone
The Hévíz–Cirkovce 400 kV cross-border line connecting the Hungarian and Slovenian electricity transmission networks is now operational. Hungary has achieved the connection of its electricity network with all of its neighbors, as announced by the President of the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority (MEKH), Mr. Péter János Horváth.
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UNITED KINDGOM
Energising the Solar Workforce Campaign
Efficiency for Access launched ‘Energising the Solar Workforce’, a consultative and collaborative communications campaign that explores the skills and training that are needed to strengthen the solar appliance sector, boost green skills, and accelerate a just clean energy transition.
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PORTUGAL
Mayors from Argentina visit Portugal
In the framework of the cooperation with the Red Argentina de Municipios frente al Cambio Climático ( RAMCC), ADENE supported the organization of a mission of mayors from Argentina in Portugal, from 26 May to 2 June.
During this mission, ADENE and RAMCC celebrated a protocol targeted to the transfer of good practices in the field of efficient use of local resources.
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23 August - 1 September 2022, Stockholm & online | World Water Week 2022
World Water Week 2022 will take place from 23 August to 1 September on the topic "Seeing the Unseen: The Value of Water". This year, the hybrid event offers close to 300 sessions on three main themes: the value of water for people and development, the financial and economic value of water and the value of water for nature and climate.
EnR Presidency 2022 is planning an online EnR session focusing on the results of the consumer survey and the importance of labelling for efficiency.
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September 2022, online | EnR Buildings WG webinar: Long-Term Renovation Strategies
On September, the EnR Buildings Working group will organize an internal webinar related with the Long-Term Renovation Strategies, addressing the current status with best practices from MS, challenges and opportunities and the future evolution from LTRS to “National Renovation plans” like foreseen in the EPBD proposal. More information will be made available soon on the EnR website.
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26 - 30 September 2022, Brussels & online | European Sustainable Energy Week
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe and comprises a series of activities aimed at building a secure energy future for Europe. This year, EUSEW takes a hybrid format, on the theme of "Going green and digital for Europe's energy transition".
The Policy Conference will take place from 26 to 30 of September and will promote the discussion on the REPowerEU plan, digitalisation and the role of consumers to the energy transition, among others.
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11 - 13 October 2022, Lisbon | Portugal Smart Cities Summit 2022
The Portugal Smart Cities Summit 2022 will take place from 11 to 13 October in Lisbon. The Summit is the place of convergence and the physical marketplace for creating opportunities for the national and international market towards the development of smart cities.
ADENE is part of the Organizing Committee and co-organizes the energy conference “Energylive: Energy Transition and Sustainability: urgencies, challenges and opportunities"
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18 October 2022, Malta | Malta’s National Energy Conference 2022
Malta’s National Energy Conference 2022 will take place on 18 October 2022 and will bring together international and local speakers from various energy sectors to discuss topics related to ongoing developments in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Battery Storage, as well as engage in a debate on how Europe can become energy independent by 2050.
The audience, which is expected to be a mix of policy makers, professionals, business entities, students and public officers, will also have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A after each session.
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Did you know that...
In 1990, there were 10 founding members of the EnR network. At present, EnR has 24 members from twenty EU countries, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom. From 1990 to today, a few other national energy agencies have joined and withdraw from the network due to their national energy sector's legal, institutional and political frameworks restructuring, the most recent of which are ANRE from Romania, EIE in Turkey and the Agency for Energy Efficiency of the Republic of Moldova.
EnR membership is open to any applying organization whose key missions and activities are in line with the activities relevant for EnR membership and whose decisions and management process are coherent with the organizational status of being a national energy agency.
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