Last week, CLG Europe, in partnership with VELUX and CONCITO, convened business leaders from across the energy value chain for a discussion with EU Commissioner for Energy & Housing Dan Jørgensen and his team on the strong economic case for the energy transition and the role of policy in scaling up investment and action.
With the upcoming post-2030 energy and climate framework and the recently released Electrification Action Plan, businesses highlighted the growing market demand for electrification, renewables and energy efficiency – and their potential to drive competitiveness, investment and job creation across Europe.
A key message from the discussion was that electrification, clean energy and energy efficiency should be at the heart of Europe’s competitiveness strategy. Participants pointed to growing demand across sectors including transport, buildings and industry, while stressing that electrification must be supported by a wider systems approach encompassing grids, energy efficiency, storage, permitting and market design.
Businesses also emphasised that energy efficiency remains an essential enabler of the transition, helping reduce energy demand and system costs, ease pressure on grids and strengthen Europe’s energy security. At the same time, well-designed legislation and effective implementation remain critical to providing the long-term clarity and investment certainty needed to mobilise private capital at scale.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening the narrative around the transition – focusing not only on emissions reductions, but on jobs, affordability, competitiveness, energy security and industrial resilience. Participants stressed that the cost of inaction should be part of this conversation alongside the costs of transition.