2020-05-20 19:27 update: 2020-05-21, 20:14
Photo PAP/Tomasz Gzell
Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia will press the EU for support of natural gas-based technologies on the path towards its climate goals, the Polish Climate Ministry informed on Wednesday.
In a Polish-initiated joint appeal in the matter to the EC, the eight countries stated that the EC's European Green Deal and its post-2050 climate neutrality goal require major investment, which in turn calls for synergy and flexibility in the EU members' energy supply.
In moving away from fossil fuels, EU energy policies will have to ensure safe energy supply, also in consideration of the social and economic aspects connected with the process and the expected effects of the coronavirus epidemic, the appeal read.
The appeal signatories said that forthcoming energy policies will have to make room for differences between the member states, and allow them to introduce energy solutions that are best-suited to their individual situation in their efforts to achieve climate goals.
"Gas fuels ensure the fastest and most price-effective intermediate path to low-emission economy and improved air quality, and allow the gradual and effective pursuit of climate neutrality in the EU," the appeal authors wrote.
According to the Polish Climate Ministry, energy transformations based only on renewable energy will take a long time and will be very costly. Therefore, in abandoning coal as an energy source, it will be necessary to retain natural gas, especially as it can supplement renewable energy. (PAP)
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