Tapia says it is necessary to “find a balance” in the transition to renewables

The Minister of Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment, Arantxa Tapia, has transferred to the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simon, his concern about high energy costs and has insisted that it is necessary to “find a balance” in the transition to renewables.

“It is necessary to match the rhythm and resources that will require investments in renewables with the necessary deadlines for the gradual abandonment of fossil resources,” said Tapia at an event organized by the European Commission within the framework of the second day of the Euskadi delegation at the climate summit held in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

The event was chaired by Simon and started with a presentation in which Tapia explained the Basque energy strategy and focused on the areas that the European Commission has selected for the occasion: the Basque commitment to green hydrogen and the renewable energy opportunities with offshore wind.

The Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment has explained in a note that offshore wind and hydrogen are proposals that have aroused the interest of the European Commission as “valid bets” to advance the energy transition and to respond to threats of climate change.

The #Renewable energy They are an important part of the solution, while increasing the opportunities for economic generation and employment.

It is good news that it is recognized in the #COP26 the capacity of the Basque Country to lead the energy transition.#BasqueGreenDeal pic.twitter.com/d62M7Yemdx

– Arantxa Tapia (@arantxa_tapia) November 5, 2021

Wind sector

The minister indicated in her speech that the Basque Country has the capacity to cover the entire process of the wind sector, both onshore and offshore, from the development of the wind farm to the operation and maintenance, passing through the manufacture of the foundations.

At this summit, it has been revealed that Basque companies participate in most of the global offshore wind projects, both in fixed foundations anchored to the bottom and in the demonstration of floating foundations, as indicated by the Department directed by Tapia.

Hydrogen

In addition, the Basque Government has taken advantage of the showcase of this event to share the “Basque Hydrogen Strategy”, which seeks to create an ecosystem based on the production of renewable hydrogen and that includes storage, transport and distribution infrastructures.

This Saturday the delegation at COP26 will participate in the Biodiversity Day events and will be present at the Edinburgh Declaration that will highlight the Global Biodiversity Framework.