EU must promote energy independence in next term, says Andrews

Household bills will be dramatically reduced if the EU prioritises energy independence in the next mandate of the European Parliament, according to Fianna Fáil MEP.

The Dublin MEP has welcomed the 10% cuts in gas and electricity prices announced today by SSE Airtricity and has called on all other energy providers to immediately follow suit.

However, he has warned that the EU remains “too dependent” on energy imports and has said that securing energy independence must be a top priority for the next mandate of the European Parliament.

“Gas and electricity prices remain unmanageable for far too many households. A major factor in this is that we remain far too dependent on energy imports from outside the EU, making pricing unpredictable and vulnerable to global events like the war in Ukraine,” Andrews said.

A recent study by children’s charity Barnardos said that more than a quarter of parents surveyed said they are struggling to afford daily essentials for their families, with many forgoing heating their homes in the winter in order to afford groceries.

“This should not be a choice that parents have to make.  We need to make basic household bills more manageable and more predictable,” he said.

“Securing our own sources of green energy is an essential step forward.  We need a competitive energy sector that is robust and less vulnerable to global events. Last month, the European Union finalised two ambitious new plans that will take effect in the coming months. The Net Zero Act will make it easier for the Irish Government and Irish companies to invest in clean technologies like wind power and heat pumps. This is a win-win for Ireland as it gives us more control over our energy supply and it will allow us to position ourselves as leading producers of cutting-edge green technologies. In addition, the Electricity Market Reform will stabilise energy prices and protect against future crises and less dependency on fossil fuel prices.

“These are important moves forward but they are just the start. It will require real political will from the next mandate of the European Parliament to further develop these ambitions and ensure that every household in Ireland feels the benefit of far more affordable energy costs.