Graham Watson MEP

Watson calls on EU energy ministers to electrify the debate, not gas it

European Union energy ministers are meeting in Brussels today to discuss EU energy policy and the draft regulation on guidelines for European energy infrastructure.

Sir Graham Watson, South West Member of the European Parliament, who is Chairman of the Climate Parliament, a global network of MPs and MEPs from all mainstream political parties campaigning to increase government investment in renewable energy and electricity supergrids, commented:

"EU energy ministers need to be laying the foundations for the transformation of our energy infrastructure. The EU's job is to kickstart the renewable energy revolution we need for the climate and our energy security by making sure the cross-border grid connections get built."

"There is no time to waste. Work needs to start immediately, which is why the fast-track permit granting process is so important. Together, these grid interconnections will become a real electricity 'supergrid'."

"These guidelines are also key for the proposed Connecting Europe Facility, which will help finance this infrastructure. But we must not lose sight of our main goal: fighting climate change. We need more of a focus on clean electricity and less on gas. We need to electrify the debate, not gas it."