Survey finds most people in Germany want greater EU energy cooperation
Clean Energy Wire
People in Germany would like to see more European cooperation in energy and climate policy, according to a survey conducted by market research institute Prolytics on behalf of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) ahead of the forthcoming European elections on 9 June.
Asked whether Europe should work more closely together in the areas of energy transition and climate protection or whether countries should act independently, 74 percent of respondents said they were in favour of greater cooperation on energy policy. More cooperation is desired particularly in the expansion of offshore wind turbines and the connection of power lines in Europe, the survey found. Around half of the respondents also expressed the belief that the energy transition strengthens Europe’s economy, with 51 percent saying it would “make Europe a leader in energy transition technologies and ensure increasing exports." Around 30 percent, however, believe the energy transition will worsen Europe's competitive situation.
Respondents were more divided on the impact of European cooperation on energy costs: While more than a third believe that closer cooperation will lead to lower costs, almost a third also fear their rise. In addition, 30 percent of respondents stated that cooperation between European countries has alleviated the energy crisis in the past two years, but more than a third do not see any impact from such cooperation, while 25 percent believe that it has had a negative effect. Despite this scepticism with regard to the past two years that were dominated by the energy crisis, respondents clearly want more cooperation with regard to securing energy supplies in Europe, the BDEW stated, noting that more than two-thirds want Europe to "work together to ensure security of supply". “In the coming years, we will be more dependent on European cooperation than ever before,” added BDEW head Kerstin Andreae.
