Digitalising the energy system - EU action plan

Background

In October 2022, on top of the emergency interventions to tackle the spike in energy prices, the European Commission adopted the Communication on Digitalisating the energy system - EU action plan. According to the proposed energy action plan, new technologies and system-wide digitalisation can help improve the efficient use of the energy resources, facilitate the integration of renewables into the grid, and save costs for EU consumers and energy companies.

Key points

The EESC points out:

• the link between the energy transition and the digital transformation, stressing the benefits of digitalisation in terms of energy savings, reduced energy intensity and better management of energy infrastructure.
• the importance of strengthening the role of active consumers in digitalisation and of encouraging and entitling them to use as many smart solutions as possible. The tools must be user-friendly, and vulnerable groups and people with disabilities must be in focus: if the social dimension is neglected in the implementation, the transformation risks failing due to public resistance.
• the possible risk that new data-driven services and innovative technology solutions are not implemented fast enough if there are not enough skilled workers. The necessary labour market and education policy measures require sufficient financial resources as well as the development of an action plan to ensure a coordinated approach.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/798

Opinion type: Optional

Rapporteur: Thomas Kattnig (Workers - Group II / Austria)

Co-rapporteur: Zsolt Kükedi (Civil Society Organisations - Group III / Hungary)

Reference: COM(2022) 552 final

Date of adoption by section: 7 March 2023

Result of the vote: 63 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 22-23 March 2023

Result of the vote: 198 in favour, 1 against, 7 abstentions

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