Energy
Managing energy cost is key to the competitiveness of the petrochemical industry, since 80% of its manufacturing costs are related to energy and to oil and gas as feedstock. The industry monitors closely EU legislative developments in this field to make sure the transition to low-carbon energy in a way that preserves the industry’s competitiveness.
The European Commission published the “Clean Energy Package” – a legislative package on energy policies – in November 2016. Since then, the European institutions have engaged in intense discussions on the different legislative proposals (new electricity market design, Renewable Energy Directive, Energy Efficiency Directive etc.) in order to reach an agreement.
Renewable energy
The EU intends to increase the share of renewables in final energy consumption in order to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to improve EU’s energy independence.
Although the petrochemicals industry supports this goal, it should be reached at the lowest possible cost to maintain the industry’s competitiveness on global markets.
EU Policy
In December 2018, the EU adopted the revised Renewable Energy Directive, which includes a binding renewable energy target for 2030 of 32%, with a clause for an upwards revision by 2023.
This new regulatory framework will pave the way for the EU’s transition towards clean energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, tidal, geothermal, and biomass energy. It will also allow the EU to remain a frontrunner in the fight against climate change.
Our view
Cefic and Petrochemicals Europe support the use of carbon-neutral energy sources including renewable energies.
For instance, the Directive should provide for national exemptions for energy-intensive industries to reduce the cost burden on these industries and maintain their global competitiveness.
In the meantime, the RED represents a business opportunity for the (petro)chemical industry since renewable technologies rely on petrochemicals to provide the essential building blocks to manufacture them and make them work efficiently.