The European Union (EU) Commission, which aims to completely get rid of the dependence on Russian energy by 2027, wants solar panels to be installed in all new public and commercial buildings for this purpose.
It is stated that with the entry into force of the new plan, which will have a cost of approximately 210 billion Euros, European countries will provide significant savings in the long run.
Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission for Environment and Climate Change, will unveil on Wednesday the European plan “RePower”, which aims to end fossil fuel purchases from Russia and accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy system.
According to Belgian public broadcaster VRT, the new plan includes the requirement to install solar panels on all new public buildings to be built in Europe.
According to the plan, there is a possibility that commercial buildings will also be covered by the mandatory solar panel application.
It is not yet clear how this obligation will be implemented in practice. It is stated that the necessity of solar panels will require a cost of approximately 210 billion Euros for EU countries.
While this may seem like a high cost, it is thought that the EU will save significant money as the dependency on Russian fossil fuels disappears.
The costs are envisaged to be deducted from money payable to member states through the EU bailout fund.
Under the new plan, the EU aims to generate an additional 20 billion euros by selling more emission rights. Companies in EU countries must obtain certification per tonne of carbon dioxide they emit.
European countries currently still supply 40 percent of the gas they need, 27 percent of the oil and 46 percent of all coal from Russia.
Last year, Europe paid Russia 99 billion euros for coal, oil and gas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIxcVxOrCns
The main goal of the plan, called “RePower”, is to get rid of natural gas from Russia. Because coal purchases from Russia will gradually end in August. At the end of this year, the oil embargo against Russia will come into effect.
The Union aims to be completely independent of Russian energy by the end of 2027.
The new plan promises to increase the renewable energy target set at 32 percent in Europe to 45 percent by 2030.
Timmermans will elaborate on Wednesday what is needed to achieve the goal, from the necessary budget to legislative changes.
According to European media, the EU administration keeps on the table that it will choose solar panels not only for public buildings, but also for all buildings, including houses.
Last week, relevant ministers from Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Spain sent a letter to Frans Timmermans and EU Commission energy member Kadri Simson, suggesting mandatory solar panels.
Ministers, who wanted solar panels to be placed on the roofs of newly built or renovated houses, suggested that solar panels should be made mandatory “especially on flat roofs, public buildings, supermarkets and large retail and industrial areas”.