EU needs a green energy super grid

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th May 2009

Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe has warned European leaders against squandering the present opportunity to develop green energy sources in Europe.

Speaking on the eve of a meeting in Prague between the Turkish Prime Minister and the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Georgia to discuss plans for a southern gas corridor, Watson said:

"Energy diversity and energy security must be Europe's goal, and that means there are real benefits to new gas routes.

But while political leaders and industry figures are busy sketching maps and planning pipelines, they are failing to meet the green standards that we will need to fuel our future.

If we rely too heavily on fossil fuels, Europe will end up on the wrong side of history.

A European supergrid supplied by solar, wind and tidal power offers Europe the chance to wean itself off dirty fossil fuels.

A renewables-based future will provide energy that is secure, independent and green. That requires political courage and financial investment - and it should also be on the Prague agenda, and the agenda of every EU member state in the European election campaign.

Note to Editors:

Graham Watson MEP is the editor of a cross-party policy pamphlet Making the Green Energy Switch at a Time of Crisis, published February 2009.

http://www.watsonforpresident.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/making-the-green-energy-switch-at-a-time-of-crisis.pdf