Solar Economy
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Theme: Solar Economy. An EU expert’s response to the theme’s key issues. WHO Fabrizio Barbaso was born in Torino. He started in the European Commission in 1976, where he first occupied several positions in charge of internal market and industry. In November 1997, he was appointed Director in the External Relations Directorate. In 2000–2003 he worked as Deputy Director General in the Directorate-General for Agriculture. The same goes for the emissions target. However, the EU is only half way towards its energy efficiency target. So, in June 2011, the EU Commission proposed a new Energy Efficiency Directive that would accelerate the change. CommoN markETS aNd SmarT GridS According to Barbaso, Europe needs a radical pathway for a more sustainable Europe. Making it happen entails finding the right mix of regulation, technological development and financing. In terms of regulation, he emphasises the creation of the EU internal energy market. “A well functioning and competitive market is needed to satisfy the needs and expectations of European citizens. We can say that the building of the internal energy and electricity market is advancing well with the new internal energy market institutions now in full operation.” According to Barbaso, investments in infrastructure are an increasingly important aspect of our energy policy. Investments in making transmission and distribution networks ’smarter’ will help to create integrated markets, increase flexibility, enable the share of renewable energy forms to be increased, and improve security of supply. Major efforts are needed to modernise and expand Europe’s energy infrastructure and to interconnect networks across borders to meet the Union’s core energy policy objectives. The new guidelines proposed by the Commission for trans-European energy infrastructures establish rules for the timely development and interoperability of trans-European energy networks. “Both wind and solar photovoltaics appear ready to deliver at large scale. To fully exploit this potential, we should put more effort in addressing the challenges related to the integration into the grid of large share of power coming from variable energy sources.” When the infrastructure is in place, the Commission believes that energy companies will continue and even increase their efforts to bring new and innovative energy solutions to the market. Barbaso also emphasises the role small- and medium-sized companies have in developing novel energy products and services. Consumers, however, have the most critical role in achieving change. “The leap to a more sustainable future needs the participation of consumers and public acceptance,” reminds Barbaso. In 2003–2005 he acted Director General of DG Enlargement and in 2006–2010 Deputy Director General of DG Transport and Energy. Since January 2011 he coordinates, e.g., the external discussion of the energy policy in DG Energy. iNFo EU’s goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20%, to increase energy efficiency by 20% and to increase the share of renewable energy to 20%. Fortum forAgendA 15
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