"Betting on renewables and electrical interconnections will make the EU more competitive. Betting on more fossil gas terminals will make us poorer," criticises the socialist MEP
Casares stresses that the ambition to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040 remains in place
Socialist MEP Nicolás González Casares has welcomed the launch of the Clean Industrial Deal. Presented today by the European Commission, this package of measures is key to guaranteeing the competitiveness of European industry in the climate transition, reducing energy costs and promoting investment in clean technologies. However, he warned that "the omnibus package can be improved and we will fight in Parliament for the integrity of the climate proposals." Along these lines, the MEP has valued the work carried out by the S&D Group and its president, Iratxe García, to "avoid the degradation of the European Green Deal."
Casares stressed that the Affordable Energy Plan included in the package represents progress, but "needs more specificity and more ambitious measures to address the price crisis." Although it reinforces the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and the design of the electricity market, on which the MEP has actively worked, he believes that "it is not enough to guarantee an affordable and stable energy supply throughout the EU."
In this context, the MEP has criticised the commitment to new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals from the USA, which he considers "a strategic and economic error". "If we are committed to more renewables and electrification, we cannot continue to import large volumes of gas. More renewables must mean less imported gas. Committing to renewables and electrical interconnections will make the EU more competitive. Committing to more fossil gas terminals will impoverish us," he pointed out.
González Casares also stressed the importance of strengthening the possibility of establishing mechanisms such as the "Iberian solution" or similar alternatives to immediately address price crises. "Europe needs effective intervention tools in the electricity market that allow States to respond quickly to price crises such as the one we have suffered in recent years," he said.
He also highlighted the key role of financing in this process, emphasizing the Industrial Decarbonization Bank: "It must actively promote the electrification of industry."
Ensuring regulatory stability and European leadership in green investment
From the European Parliament, the socialists have defended the importance of preserving the taxonomy of sustainable investments without reopening its legislation, thus guaranteeing regulatory and financial stability. Casares has pointed out that it is key to maintain the Principle of No Significant Harm (DNSH) and that large companies continue to be obliged to comply with these criteria.
Regarding the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the double materiality assessment is maintained, which assesses both the environmental and social impact of companies and their financial viability. However, Casares has warned that "the reduction in the scope of application is worrying and we in Parliament will be vigilant in order to protect climate ambition."
As for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the MEP welcomed the fact that its entry into operation will not be delayed once the transition period has ended. "It is a good starting point, but we will have to review and improve it to ensure that it fulfils its function of preventing carbon leakage and protecting our industry," he added.
Clean Industrial Deal: boosting clean industry with funding and training
The Clean Industrial Deal aims to keep Europe attractive for clean industries and technologies, addressing key issues such as reducing energy costs, financing green industry and training workers for decarbonisation.
The plan plans to mobilise more than 100 billion euros to support SMEs and clean industry in the EU, with a prominent role for the European Investment Bank (EIB). In addition, Casares has insisted that "the reinforcement of the Innovation Fund and the implementation of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank are essential to finance the transition."
Affordable Energy Plan: more ambition and concreteness
In the energy field, the Affordable Energy Plan reinforces measures promoted by the European Parliament, such as the reform of the electricity market, the promotion of PPAs and CfDs, the improvement of networks and the acceleration of permits. However, González Casares warns that "many of the measures are indicative or depend on the Member States, which could reduce the effectiveness of price reductions."
He also stressed the need to decouple gas prices from electricity prices with more forceful measures and insisted that "proposals on transparency and control of manipulation in gas markets must be more ambitious."
Finally, he welcomed the fact that the plan includes strengthening energy interconnections in the Iberian Peninsula, as a key step towards the Energy Union.
"We will work in the Parliament to improve these packages and ensure that Europe leads the climate transition with ambition and social justice," González Casares concluded.
