Finland’s Prime Minister has urged Europe to boost the bloc’s energy independence with renewables.
Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg as part of the “This is Europe” debate series, Sanna Marin called for short-term measures to lower the price of electricity and address turbulence in electricity markets.
In the medium- and long-term, Marin said, “the only way out of the energy crisis is to invest heavily in renewable and emission-free energy production, common European transmission networks and storage technologies.”
She added that the ongoing energy crisis “will simply accelerate Europe’s transition away from Russian fossil fuels”.
“With its war, Russia is destroying its economy and future.”
Investments into the green transition also increase Europe’s autonomy and Marin urged for the “Fit for 55” package to move forward without downgrading its ambition.
The EU has proven its ability to act in various crises, said Marin.
At the same time, these crises have revealed vulnerabilities, and Europe should now strengthen its strategic autonomy: in energy, she added, as well as in defence material production, food sovereignty and in technology.
Marin added that the Recovery and Resilience Fund was a “one-time” instrument, although a necessary one, and she also called for further improvements to the EU’s rules-based economic order.
These would allow the EU to take better take into account social issues, employment and the environment, she said.