After being invited by Iñaki Irazabalbeitia (Aralar) from the parliamentary group Greens-EFA, the President of GoiEner, Joanes Maiza, attended European Parliament on behalf of the cooperative. Joanes took part in the conference which the Spanish Association of Renewable Energy Producers (APPA) had organized for various MEPs and their respective guests.
The conference was introduced by Izaskun Bilbao, the Basque MEP for PNV, and by Raul Romeva, the Catalan MEP for ERC. Below is a summary of the presentations given by various speakers during the event.
— Spokesperson for NGOs, Liliane Spendeler: We are witnessing a new social concept which was introduced at the Innobasque Conference in Bilbao in June 2013 – “energy poverty”. Due to the crisis and the increase in the price of electricity and gas, thousands of citizens are finding themselves unable to cover their basic energy needs. This fact hits even harder in winter.
It is revealed that the electricity reform has no consideration for society or the environment, which is causing citizen response to build through cooperatives such as SOM Energía, GoiEner, Enerplús, Nosa Enerxía, or the solar energy project ECOoo. Liliane urges European institutions to listen to what these collectives are saying, being as they are social partners and businesses which work for the common good.
She also reports that Spanish energy policies go against the directives established in the 20/20/20 targets, which include the promotion of energy saving, efficiency and renewable energy. It is noted that the administrative sanctions for failing to officially report an installation for self-consumption will be infinitely higher than the fine issued for radioactive leaks.
— APPA – José Manuel Gnlz. Moya: Investor companies have reported a lack of stability in sector regulation. This causes disinvestment and capital flight in areas which have been pioneering in technology.
It is reported that the fabric of industry is coming apart, which is in turn causing high levels of unemployment. GoiEner comments on what we are experiencing first hand in Euskadi, where small and medium sized businesses related to green technology are closing down, leaving a trail of unemployed people in their wake.
Objective data (see presentation) demonstrates that one of the greatest problems of the Spanish energy system is the overcapacity of power found in combined-cycle gas plants. Meanwhile, solar energy is being demonized without any mention being made as to the subsidies for carbon, or to capacity and stand-by payments made to power plants which emit CO2.
GoiEner states that the price of electricity for society is exorbitant, if we bear in mind that the cost of the energy produced is extremely low (nuclear energy is incredibly cheap and the price per KW of large-scale hydropower using reservoirs is very low). In addition, large-scale wind power is bringing down the cost of generation even further. Despite this, the rate set through highly speculative auctions indicates that the price per KW that we citizens pay is always that of energy generated through gas. The system must undergo an objective audit before any reform is introduced.
— EREC – Josche Muth: Josche presents a global view of how the EU is financially weak in terms of energy red by the EU, given the fact that the European Union is very energy dependent and has little defence against the price of oil and gas. Josche talks about the capacity for investment which is available through the development of green technology and renewable energies, pointing out that the development will not continue due to the instability of regulatory framework and individual legislation of each EU country.
Behind the development of renewable energy projects lies a great opportunity for the direct creation of “green jobs” and indirect employment, which would soften the blow of some of the effects of the crisis.
— Representatives from the programme Keep on Track: They explain two projects which have been carried out as part of the programme:
EREF – Maelle Pelisson: Maelle presents a report on retrospective policies in promoting renewable energy. It identifies 12 EU countries in which national moratoria are being applied, as well as retrospective and retroactive measures.
BBH – Jana Nysten: Jana presents a legal consultancy tool which allows different players in the sector to check if political measures are being applied in compliance with EU directives on renewable energy policy.