PRESS RELEASE
26 February 2025
Today European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Clean Industrial Deal – A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation. COGEN Europe welcomes the strong signal sent by the European Commission to accelerate the uptake of all decarbonisation solutions that support the competitiveness of EU industry. In this context, we call on EU leaders to prioritise future-proof cogeneration – a key energy efficiency solution that delivers on both the competitiveness and decarbonisation objectives of EU industry and citizens.
The Clean Industrial Deal published today provides a roadmap for a thriving new European industrial ecosystem of growth and prosperity. To achieve this, the European Commission communication and accompanying Affordable Energy Action Plan stress the importance of access to affordable clean energy, boosting demand for EU made clean technologies, fostering green financing, powering the circular economy, enhancing global partnerships and skills. The roadmap highlights the role of all clean energy solutions in speeding up decarbonisation, mitigating energy system costs and ensuring security of energy supply in industry.
Reacting to the publication of the Clean Industrial Deal, Marco Pezzaglia, Chair of COGEN Europe, said: “The EU Clean Industrial Deal identifies the critical issues that the European economy faces. COGEN Europe agrees that access to secure, clean and competitive energy is the prerequisite to the EU’s prosperity and decarbonisation objectives. To deliver for our industries, SMEs and communities, the EU must implement decisive action on energy efficiency while taking an integrated approach to energy systems.” Mr. Pezzaglia further stressed: “Key industrial sectors rely on cogeneration today and need this solution for the future to stay competitive and decarbonise at the same time. In the months to come, COGEN Europe looks forward to discussing our recommendations for actionable measures that prioritise cogeneration in the context of the EU Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan.”
Hans Korteweg, Managing Director of COGEN Europe, commented on the Clean Industrial Deal: “Across the EU, key industries have already adopted cogeneration to stay competitive, save energy and reduce their environmental impact. Industrial cogeneration today is responsible for 7% of the EU’s electricity generation, either self-produced for own consumption or to support the grid. In addition, cogeneration is critical for security of heat supply in many industries such as pulp and paper, ceramics, alumina, chemicals, food processing, greenhouses, as well as numerous SMEs. With increasing access to renewable and low-carbon sources, as well as energy storage and power-to-heat solutions, future-proof cogeneration will remain important in delivering secure and clean power and heat at times of high energy prices and insufficient solar or wind energy.”
Mr. Korteweg continued: “COGEN Europe calls for urgent measures to safeguard the existing cogeneration capacities, without which industrial operators would pay more for their heat and power, while increasing overall emissions and putting more pressure on power grids. Moreover, EU and national policymakers must work on a strategy and ambitious measures to boost the uptake of future-proof and innovative cogeneration across industry, district heating and in buildings, as part of a comprehensive approach to clean heat, grids and electrification.”
Further information
A Clean Industrial Deal for competitiveness and decarbonisation in the EU