TEN President at the seminar on "The role of electricity networks in the energy transition" at the French Senate on 30 June

On 30 June, Pierre-Jean Coulon, President of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society of the European Economic and Social Committee (profile), participated in the seminar on "The role of electricity networks in the energy transition" at the French Senate in Paris.

The event, co-organised by the Association of Energy Economists (AEE) and Passages-ADAPes (a journal), focused in particular on issues relating to monopolies, regulation and tariffs for accessing networks. Major players on the French market – the French Energy Council, ADEME, Enedis and Alstom – were present. They were able to discuss future trends, how to take better account of the needs of consumers, and the fight against energy poverty, with researchers, politicians and economists.

"Civil society and regional players have a key role to play in the energy transition," said Pierre-Jean Coulon, "which is the only way to ensure energy efficiency, control over energy prices and the continuation of efforts to combat climate change. The key to making the energy transition a success is its social and societal acceptance. Platforms for discussion between regions and civil society organisations must be established, because it is settings like this that generate specific proposals. So that consumers can play a more active role in the energy transition, the EESC recommends introducing a 'European energy savings account' where everyone can participate in funding positive European energy projects."

Further information:

Caroline Alibert-Deprez, EESC Press Unit

Email: press@eesc.europa.eu

Tel. +32 2 546 9406

 

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