The cost of energy needs to be factored in as a basic component of the EU’s strategic energy planning, EVIKEN, the Association of Industrial Energy Consumers, has stressed to the European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete.

“We believe that energy planning must not only be based on geopolitical criteria but should also satisfy market needs and lead to bearable energy prices for consumers,” noted EVIKEN’s president Konstantinos Kouklelis.

The industrial consumer association’s chief official added that energy planning is needed at both European and national levels in order to provide answers to issues such as energy mix planning; electricity, natural gas and LNG storage; energy efficiency policies; and demand response mechanism designs.

Kouklelis acknowledged that the EU has adopted extremely ambitious policies for renewable energy sector development, while also observing that power stations running on conventional fossil fuels and nuclear energy are being replaced by renewable energy sources, both solar and wind, at a rapid pace.

RES sector issues such as subdued PV electricity production experienced during sunset and sunrise, inadequate storage system development, as well as the need for new energy transmission and distribution networks, all need to be resolved, the EVIKEN chief added.