Hearing of Commissioner-designate Kadri Simson

The president and political groups’ coordinators from the committee will meet within 24 hours to assess the performance of Commissioner-designate Kadri Simson.

Financing the energy transition to reach EU climate goals

During her introductory speech, Ms Simson said that she believes energy has a central role to play in the European Green Deal, to be presented within the first 100 days of the new Commission. She committed to reviewing the EU’s legislation on energy with the aim of making the EU climate neutral by 2050. By 2021, the EU should increase its 2030 reduction target to cut CO2 emissions by at least 50% and possibly up to 55%. This is conceivable, while still remaining competitive globally, Simson stressed.

MEPs put forward several questions on how to finance the reform of the EU’s energy mix and reach the EU’s climate objectives. “Through the EU budget and by making the European Investment Bank a climate bank”, she replied.

MEPs underlined the importance of the Just Transition Fund to support the regions most dependent on coal production to transition to renewable energy and stressed that this transition must ensure affordable energy for all consumers. They also wanted to know if the Commissioner-designate supports raising the EU’s 2030 targets on renewable energy and energy efficiency.

During the hearing, MEPs also raised issues such as energy security, gas supply, offshore wind farms, research, nuclear energy, and carbon capture and storage.

Press point

At the end of the hearing, Committee Chair Adina-Ioana Vălean (EPP, RO), together with Commissioner-designate Kadri Simson, held a press point outside the meeting room: watch it here.

Next steps

Based on the committees’ recommendations, the Conference of Presidents will decide on 17 October if Parliament has received sufficient information to declare the hearing process closed. If so, the plenary will vote on whether or not to elect the Commission as a whole on 23 October, in Strasbourg.