Maros Sefcovic (European Commission): "A successful energy transition requires appropriate social and employment policies"

In recent years, the renewable energy industry has emerged as a driver of economic growth and job creation. However, while new jobs are being created, others are destroyed; naturally, this creates resistance. “We must be very aware of the social aspect of the energy transition,” commented Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Energy Union, during the “Second Energy Union Tour”, organised by the ESADE Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics (ESADEgeo) in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in Spain. Álvaro Nadal, Spanish Minister of Energy, and Javier Solana, President of ESADEgeo, also spoke at the event. “We cannot leave anyone behind,” commented Mr. Šefčovič. “We must work in social terms. It is essential to establish forums for dialogue with citizens and guide energy policy with social and employment policies in order to make this transition successful.”

According to Mr. Šefčovič, Spain has “great potential” and is known for “making good use of European funds” for the energy transition. He described Spain as “a pioneer in the use of new technologies for renewable energy” that has developed “various programmes that promote energy-efficient homes”. He added: “According to our impact assessment, Spain could create up to 100,000 new jobs and the industry could increase the GDP by almost €12 billion by 2030.” He acknowledged, however, that this depends on “better interconnection with Europe”, “a common market that allows the free movement of energy” and, consequently, “more competitive prices”.

Mr. Nadal, the Spanish Minister of Energy, declared that “being interconnected with our European neighbours and becoming part of the internal energy market” is a priority for Spain. He added, however, that “Spain remains an energy ‘island’” in comparison to the levels of interconnection among other European Union members. He concluded: “Greater flexibility and autonomy are needed to really implement this new form of energy governance and achieve greater energy efficiency.”

Mr. Solana, President of ESADEgeo, commented: “Each EU member state would benefit greatly from coordinating their energy policies and fostering greater interconnection” because doing so would “diminish their current dependence and vulnerability to impositions or restrictions in countries that produce and supply energy”. He added: “In a context in which the important agreements that have been reached on environmental issues seem to be challenged by nationalist and revisionist forces, now more than ever before we must emphasise the advantages of collective action in terms of security, sustainability and even prices.”

The event featured several panel discussions on topics related to energy security, geopolitics, energy efficiency, and social and environmental challenges. Participants included Aránzazu Beristain, Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain; Mariano Marzo, Professor of Geopolitics at the University of Barcelona; Eloy Álvarez Pelegry, Director of the Energy Chair at Orkestra (Basque Institute of Competitiveness); Diego Pavía, CEO of KIC InnoEnergy; Almudena Fuster, R&D Projects in the Department of Innovation at the Madrid Housing Agency; Iván Martén, Principal Partner, Managing Director and Global Leader of Energy Practice at the Boston Consulting Group; and Teresa Ribera, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations.