energy storage

New European Commission: Who will be the key Commissioners for Cleantech?

On 18 July 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was elected for a second mandate, presented to the European Parliament her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029. On 17 September, she unveiled her proposed team of European Commissioners, highlighting significant leadership changes. While the Commissioners are yet to be confirmed by the Parliament, their Mission-letters allow to see how the division of labour is envisaged.

The Cleantech industry will be at the heart of the Commission’s agenda. From the implementation of existing Green Deal rules to a doubling-down on renewables and fresh attempts to launch a real EU cleantech industrial policy, few stakeholders will be left untouched.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed Spain’s Teresa Ribera as executive vice-president for the clean, just and competitive transition, with joint responsibility for the clean industrial strategy. Dutchman Wopke Hoekstra (climate) and Dane Dan Jørgensen (energy) will serve under her.

In particular, Ribera should be in charge of the new state aid framework to accelerate the green transition and the Clean Industrial Deal, of steering investment and financing via the Just Transition Fund, for instance.

Together with the Commissioner for energy, she is also tasked with guiding the work to bring down energy prices, which is a key challenge for European manufacturing, strongly affecting its competitiveness, and with the Commissioner for climate, she should implement the Fit for 55 policy, as well as preparing post-2030 climate policy and goals. Finally, she should support the implementation of IPCEIs.

President von der Leyen has proposed France’s Stéphane Séjourné as executive vice-president for prosperity and industrial strategy.

While Mrs. Ribera should deal with the implementation of existing IPCEIs, Mr. Séjourné should lead the work on new IPCEIs on strategic sectors and technologies. He should be a key player in shaping Europe’s industrial strategy, as he should develop the European Competitiveness Fund and lead the work on critical raw materials, chemical, steel and metal industries. His mission letter clearly states that Europe needs a new industrial strategy, putting in place the conditions for our industries and companies to invest, decarbonize, become more competitive and to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty in the sectors and technologies that will shape tomorrow’s economy.

Mr. Séjourné is also in charge of the implementation of the Net Zero Industry Act and developing the Industrial Decarbonization Accelerator Act. He should also support a growth-conductive regulatory framework for cleantech and reform public procurement directives. As stated in his mission letter, these new directives should enable preference for European products in public procurement for certain strategic sectors and technologies. Last but not least, he should engage with cleantech stakeholders in the Clean Transition Dialogues. Skeleton participated in the latest dialogue alongside 26 key representatives from industry and clean tech sectors, including InnoEnergy, GravitHy, Verkor, Ecop, Siemens Energy, Engie, and Vestas.

These nominations still need to be approved by the European Parliament following the hearings of the designated Commissioners. Skeleton Technologies looks forward to working closely with the new European Commission to support the growth of the cleantech industry in Europe.

You can find the list of Commissioners-designate and their portfolios here.


Trying to find the best

energy storage solution?

Our experts are at your service, offering personalized guidance to navigate the complex world of energy storage. Discover how our solutions can power your success.

Connect with an expert now
ludo-expert
join-skeleton-newsletter

Ready to become energy storage expert? Join our newsletter!

JOIN TODAY

JOIN TODAY

AND FIND OUT EVEN MORE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT WORLD OF ENERGY STORAGE