28/11/2011 Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Strasbourg, 27.11.2011 - Biomass, solar energy, wind energy (including offshore facilities), marine energy, geothermal energy, biofuels, hydropower and nuclear power are all complementary sources which need to be developed in parallel. This was the conclusion of the 150 or so participants at a panel discussion on the choice of the energies of the future, organised by the PACE Sub-Committee on Energy, in Alfortville on 27 November.
Welcoming the prospect of a genuine and “indispensable” public debate involving experts, members of parliament and civil society which needs to be initiated in all Council of Europe member states, they reiterated the firm political will to invest in developing renewable energies. With regard to nuclear power, the participants made it clear that safety and transparency were essential safeguards. “They are a prerequisite for the further development of nuclear power, whatever the country.”
The experts added that the cost, environmental impact, reserve capacity and storage capacity were all factors which needed to be taken into account in the energy choices made.
They believed that the photovoltaic field required rebuilding in a sustainable way; for wind energy, it was necessary to further unlock its potential; as regards biomass, it was now necessary to take it to the next stage; geothermal power represented a huge development potential, including in the volcanic sector; as regards marine energy, there was an urgent need for research to further develop wave and tidal projects; last but not least, it would be necessary at the same time to invest heavily in renovating buildings and taking all the necessary measures to reduce the consumption of energy from whatever source.