| 07.12.2007 14:02 |    |
Petten – Ministers Van der Hoeven (EZ) en Cramer (VROM) will put the Energy Vision 2050 of ECN/NRG on the innovation agenda for government policy. The ministers announced this to the Dutch Lower House. They concluded that the ECN/NRG Energy Vision provides direction for innovative and energy policies in the long term.
In the Energy Vision 2050, ECN/NRG paints a realistic, ambitious and particularly directive view of the future for a sustainable European energy system in 2050. This is achievable in 2050, but it will not be easy. Substantial changes in the energy system are required to effectively decrease the risks of climate change and secure the supply of affordable energy in the long term.
Mix of technologies
The Energie Vision envisages substantial energy savings, a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions and considerably lower imports of oil and gas. Renewable energy sources will account for more than 35% of the total energy supply in 2050, with biomass, wind and solar energy taking leading roles. Not all energy sources in use by 2050 will be fully sustainable. ECN/NRG foresees the implementation of a mix of (sustainable) technologies and the use of clean fossil fuels such as coal-firing with CO2 storage. Nuclear energy cannot be excluded in Europe either, given the large challenges we are facing. However, additional demands are required for these options in order to be able to fit them into a sustainable energy system in a sound manner.
Robust view of the future
According to the ministers, ECN/NRG’s view of the future is consistent with the ambitions of the government for 2020 (30% reduction in greenhouse gases, 20% sustainable energy and 2% energy savings per year). The minsters characterize the view of the future as “robust” and value the “common long-term orientation” for Europe that is outlined in the report. They commend the European scope of the study and endorse the essential role of energy saving as the most cost-effective option for reducing CO2 emissions. The decisive role of the government advised by the report is considered “valuable” by the ministers. A decisive government can make a large contribution to a sustainable energy system by implementing effective and consistent policy, communicating a ‘sense or urgency’ and providing clear supervision and adequate financial support.
Downloading the report
'Energy Vision 2050' was published in August 2007 and can be downloaded from the ECN and NRG website.
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