PRESS RELEASE

12 September 2024

Yesterday (11 September), the European Commission published its 2024 ‘State of the Energy Union’ Report, which takes stock of progress achieved towards the EU’s energy policy objectives for 2030 and beyond. The report sets out the EU’s achievements in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and security of supply over recent years, against the backdrop of tremendous challenges posed by the war in Ukraine and post-pandemic recovery.

In its report, the Commission highlights the following:

    • The use of energy from renewable sources has grown to almost a quarter (23%) of total energy consumption, with most growth achieved in the electricity generation sector (41.2%) and more modest progress in the heating & cooling (24.9%) and transport (9.6%) sectors.
    • Biogas and biomethane production across the EU has reached a total of 21 bcm (billion cubic metres) per year, thereby increasing the availability of renewable gases.
    • Renewable hydrogen production capacity is gradually expanding (estimated at an additional 0.8 GW in 2024), as initiatives like the European Hydrogen Bank aim to stimulate both the supply of and demand for clean hydrogen.
    • Primary and final energy consumption decreased by 4.1% and 2.8% respectively between 2021 and 2022. These savings narrow the gap to achieving the 2030 target, but an assessment of Member States’ commitments show that further efforts will be needed to meet the EU’s collective energy efficiency target.

Reacting to the 9th ‘State of the Energy Union’ report, COGEN Europe’s Managing Director, Hans Korteweg, said: “COGEN Europe supports the European Commission’s call for faster uptake of energy efficiency measures, alongside the mobilisation of renewable heating and cooling resources. Unlocking the potential of high efficiency cogeneration will help to further reduce primary energy consumption, as well as ensuring the most efficient use of renewable energy sources to produce both electricity and heat. We will call on the incoming Commission to implement the relevant legislation in a way that takes full advantage of the benefits that cogeneration can deliver.”

High efficiency cogeneration is one of the clean energy technologies recognised in the recent ‘Fit for 55’ wave of EU legislation, in the framework of the European Green Deal. EU Member States are required to assess the potential for high efficiency cogeneration in their Comprehensive Assessments for Heating and Cooling and take action to realise its potential under the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Cogeneration is to be prioritised over less efficient power-only thermal plants, as mandated both by the EED and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). Cogeneration solutions are further recognised in the context of the Net-zero Industry Act (NZIA), as well as other EU legislation relating to energy and climate objectives.

The State of the Energy Union Report 2024 (and supporting documents) can be found on the European Commission’s website.

COGEN Europe’s Policy Priorities 2024-2029 are set out in the document: The Role of Cogeneration in Europe’s Energy Transition – Enabling an Efficient Pathway to Net Zero