On Monday 29 December 2025, Eurosolar Lëtzebuerg asbl, a Luxembourg non-profit organisation which advocates the use of renewable energies, published its end-of-year message, in which its president, Paul Zens, reflected on the current challenges of the energy transition, the need to accelerate decarbonisation and the central role of citizens and local initiatives in this process.
According to the association, its main objective is the complete replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy, as excess carbon in the atmosphere is identified as a key cause of the climatic and social challenges currently being faced, making accelerated decarbonisation essential.
According to the association’s president, maintaining momentum remains crucial. He noted that thousands of new photovoltaic installations, particularly among private individuals, demonstrate that the pragmatism and common sense of citizens are an added value in the transformation process. These developments show, he said, that people understand the benefits not only for their own finances but also for society as a whole, notably through a redistribution of financial flows.
He stressed that this momentum must be sustained and said that the association is awaiting the implementation of the 51 concrete measures resulting from the national renewable energy consultation “Einfach – Séier – Erneierbar”, presented in May 2025. These measures, he noted, are justified and would provide valuable support. Announced plans included faster and simplified procedures, greater efficiency and various incentives, with minimal impact on people and the environment, benefiting consumers from private households to large companies. However, he warned that announcements without concrete action risk remaining ineffective.
Addressing decarbonisation, the president noted that the exponential growth of solar and wind energy has not yet translated into a corresponding reduction in fossil fuel use. As a result, he described the decarbonisation record in the industrial, craft and construction sectors in 2024 as disappointing. While technologies and models to better control energy costs already exist, he added that genuine entrepreneurial spirit is still lacking. He cited the growing energy demand of data servers linked to digitalisation and artificial intelligence as an example where, beyond energy production, energy efficiency and sobriety could also be developed and monetised.
On renewable energy infrastructure, he underlined the importance of proximity, autonomy and storage. Renewable energy, he said, is locally available and close to its place of use, increasing energy autonomy and contributing to greater stability in supply and pricing. Storage, he added, is a key component of this stability. Luxembourg has defined a strategy in this area, with batteries of various sizes and capacities and the balancing of energy flows forming essential elements of the energy transition. Several pilot projects are currently under way, including monitoring, with results expected to support the rollout of a coordinated and stable system.
The president also reiterated his opposition to nuclear power, stating that it is not a renewable energy source, despite its classification in the European energy taxonomy. He pointed to ongoing challenges linked to nuclear energy, including waste treatment and storage, as well as dependence on supplies of nuclear fissile material from problematic sources.
He further observed that fossil, conservative and nationalist forces are seeking to regain influence, citing developments such as COP30 outcomes and recent votes in the European Parliament on issues including “omnibus proposals”, internal combustion engines beyond 2035 and reduced decarbonisation targets. According to him, these efforts aim to prolong price volatility.
Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that such attempts would fail, arguing that people ultimately choose solutions that offer better technology, improved financial flows, greater autonomy and stronger democratic values. In this context, he described the rapid growth of energy communities in Luxembourg, up by more than 440% in one year, as clear evidence of citizens’ pragmatism and willingness to act collectively. He concluded by stating that, given the urgency of the situation, existing and proven techniques and methods must now be applied without delay.
