There is an urgent need to promote an integrated strategy for the development of renewable energy sources, Cypriot MEP George Georgiou said on Tuesday during a debate in the plenary of the European Parliament on new legislation to speed up the licensing of new renewable energy power plants.
In his rebuttal, Georgiou said the planet was "sending out a danger signal" and that the destruction of the environment due to the abuse of natural resources "and the reckless use and action of multinationals is immense". At the same time, he added, energy poverty afflicts one in four Europeans.
Georgiou said that for his group, the European Union Left, "it is clear that new policies aimed at sustainable development for the benefit of peoples are needed." "Green capitalism that rewards the main polluters with piles of money as green monopolies cannot continue," he added. Georgiou adding that they appreciate "as positive" the effort of the report to promote pan-European general licensing rules for renewable energy projects and installations, calling for accelerated procedures, public planning and priority for degraded areas. "We are of course concerned about the risk that there is a risk of reducing the requirements in terms of environmental impact and protection of Natura 2000 sites," he added.
In conclusion, Georgiou said that he expects that Cyprus, taking advantage of the relevant European Directive, will proceed with competitive tenders "so as to ensure cheap electricity for our people".
It is noted that the legislative proposal was submitted by the Commission as part of the "REPowerEU" package of measures to reduce European dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia. It will amend the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance of Buildings Directives, on which separate reviews are underway as part of the "Fit for 55" package.
In order to increase the supply of renewable energy to the grid without delay, MEPs will vote on amendments incorporating elements of a recent Commission proposal, tabled under the urgency procedure, so that the provisions can enter into force as early as 2023.
The vote will take place on Wednesday.
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