About the report:
An analysis of the five energy challenges facing the European Parliament and the Commission between 2024 and 2029. The publication presents the current state of implementation of the European Green Deal and the ‘Fit for 55’ package. The dilemmas identified and discussed in the report include: sources of financing for the energy transition, the 2040 climate target, key technologies for an effective transition, how to provide cheap and clean heat and the problem of improving grid infrastructure.
Kluczowe wnioski:
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The current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-27 assumes spending of €1.2 trillion. Climate targets are expected to consume a minimum of 30% of the budget. Adoption of the next MFF will be difficult, due to disputes over budget size, the future of EU debt and spending priorities.
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The EU will decide on a new climate target for 2040 by 2025 at the latest. At present, the most common reference is a 90% reduction in emissions. The adoption of such a target means that the electricity sector is to undergo almost complete decarbonisation by 2040, moving away from coal altogether and reducing the role of gas.
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Poland has the second largest district heating system in Europe. There are 5.8 million households connected to the district heating network households, but the country's heating sector is still two-thirds coal-based. The transformation of district heating mainly consists of replacing coal with gas. This makes it possible to reduce emissions, but results in an increased demand for imported gas.
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At the European level, more than 40% of distribution networks are over 40 years old. By the end of this decade alone, investments in distribution will consume €375-425 billion in the EU. It is crucial to reinforce and upgrade low- and medium-voltage electricity grids, to which, on average in Europe, approx. 75% of all RES capacity is connected to these grids. Currently, RES projects have to wait between 4 and 10 years to be connected to the grid.
The report is also available in the Polish version.