(L-R) Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal's Minister for Environment and Energy; Lex Delles, Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism; Credit: Council of the European Union

Luxembourg's Ministry of the Economy has reported that the Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, participated in the meeting of the Council of EU Energy Ministers in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday 30 May 2024.

The Council adopted conclusions on the development of sustainable electricity networks which aim for the accelerated deployment of electricity transport networks across Europe. For Minister Delles, "networks are the key element to succeed in the energy transition and to ensure that our supply is guaranteed and affordable".

The Council conclusions included provisions aimed at establishing a coordinated, interconnected and integrated European electricity network, strengthening energy security and the resilience of energy infrastructure, closing the investment gap in the field and accelerating development of infrastructure.

Minister Delles added: "European coordination on network planning and resilience is essential. For Luxembourg, this coordination makes it possible to implement concrete projects, such as Project 380 connecting Germany and Luxembourg, and to integrate even better into the European market."

The ministers also discussed the progress of the REPowerEU plan, which aims to eliminate dependence on Russian fossil fuels as soon as possible, as well as the future of the Green Deal and how to maintain its momentum to advance the energy and industrial transition. According to Minister Delles, "a strong industrial base for clean technologies in Europe is essential, not only to achieve our climate objectives, but also from the point of view of the EU's global competitiveness, energy security and for a just transition for all."

On the sidelines of the Council, Minister Delles spoke with Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal’s Minister for Environment and Energy, on current energy policy issues, and met with ENTSO-E, the the European Network of Transmission System Operators, to learn about the European electricity system, as well as Hydrogen Europe, to discuss future needs in the field of hydrogen.