Union of the French Electricity (UFE)

UFE welcomes the EC intention to address the excessive prescriptiveness of public procurements procedures, to streamline the framework and to better align it with EUs strategic priorities, including economic security and sovereignty.

UFE, the association representing the French Electricity industry, welcomes the European Commissions Industrial Accelerator Act. It provides a strategic opportunity to strengthen and scale up European value chains in sectors that are essential to achieving our climate targets.

UFE welcomes the Commissions initiative to introduce an Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. As 47% of the industrial energy demand is dedicated to heat production, which still relies heavily on fossil fuels, accelerating industrial decarbonisation is a prerequisite for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

November 2021 UFE's reply to the consultation of the European Commission on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive In general, UFE, the association representing the French electricity industry, supports the proposal for a revision by the European Commission of the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources.

Opening of the attached position paper · the full paper is on the Commission’s record (source link above)

UFE welcomes the EC initiative to bring greater consistency between energy and climate policies. Considering the 2018 revision of RED, UFE believes that, alongside a review of the overall 2030 target, the EC should also ensure the complete and correct transposition of REDII by MS. To achieve climate neutrality, the EU must put in place an effective system in which reducing CO2 emissions is the priority.

The revision of the directives should be an opportunity to strengthen energy & industrial sovereignty while addressing the prescriptiveness of the procedures by simplifying the framework: I - STRENGTHENING EU ENERGY AND INDUSTRIAL SOVEREIGNTY - Directive 2014/25 should consider a European content criterion that would incentivise the production of made in Europe products by granting companies that integrate part of…

Please find below UFEs proposals concerning nuclear and hydropower activities in relation to the Technical Screening Criteria set out in the EU Taxonomy Climate DA. High-level radioactive waste: Economic activities 4.26, 4.27 & 4.28, article 1 (f) require that The Member State has a documented plan with detailed steps to have in operation, by 2050, a disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste.

Please find enclosed the Frency Electricity Industry response to the consultation on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The position focuses on the following point: - Acknowledging the role of all technologies decarbonising buildings - Ensuring that GHG emissions become a building performance indicator - Infrastructures for sustainable mobility - Clarifying the framework for minimum energy performance…

UFE fully supports the EC’s willingness to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU, EPBD) as part of the Fit for 55 Package endorsing the new EU climate ambitions. Following the Renovation Wave Strategy, the EPBD is a key file when it comes to the EU building stock’s decarbonisation and renovation.

UFE strongly supports the EC's willingness to enhance European competitiveness through the ECF, with a pillar dedicated to clean transition and industrial decarbonisation. This pillar should aim at enabling electrification of uses and safeguarding the EUs energy sovereignty and resilience of its energy system. 1.

The Union of the French Electricity industry (UFE), the trade association for the French electricity sector, warmly welcomes the European Commission’s ambition to adopt a text that would enshrine in law the carbon neutrality objective in 2050. However, UFE believes that to achieve climate-neutrality, the right regulatory and financial framework must be in place.

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires drastically reducing CO2 emissions in all sectors, in particular those covered by the ETS. In this context, UFE advocates for an ambitious revision of the ETS framework to ensure that decarbonisation incentives are in line with the 2040 GHG emissions reduction target while providing predictability to the EU industry to unlock the necessary instruments.

UFE fully supports the EC intention to introduce a legislation aimed at greening corporate fleets. As corporate vehicles represent the largest share of the EU automotive market with about 60% of new sales going into this segment in 2023, this initiative would serve as a key driver to generate additional, stable demand for EVs in the EU, and therefore support European automative manufacturers in meeting CO standards…

UFE, the association representing the French Electricity Industry, welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Directive on energy efficiency (EED). But given the climate emergency, we believe that some improvements are still needed. Please find enclosed UFE's reaction and recommendations on the proposal of revision of the EED.

The Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (EED) is a key tool to reduce energy consumption, and accompanied by an ambitious electrification, and the deployment of renewable energy sources, it will help meet the EU’s climate and energy objectives.

UFE thanks the Commission for the opportunity to react on the proposed revision of the ETS Directive. Please find enclosed and below our contribution. UFE, the association representing the French Electricity Industry, is mainly aligned with the Commission's proposal on the revision of the existing EU ETS.

UFE supports the EC’s initiative to strengthen the ETS to contribute to achieving the new ambitious climate targets for 2030 and 2050. 1. The ETS must be reinforced as the core instrument of decarbonisation in the EU A predictable carbon price is essential to ensure the ETS plays a key role in decarbonising the EU economy while guaranteeing a smooth and fair transition.

UFE welcomes the intention of the Commission to review the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). The recent evaluation of the Energy Taxation Directive highlighted that, since the adoption of the Directive in 2003, energy markets and technologies in the EU have undergone significant developments.

The Union of French Electricity (UFE) supports the development of a post-2030 EU climate and energy framework that is outcome-oriented, cost-effective, investment-friendly and system-consistent. It should prioritise the achievement of overall decarbonisation objectives through a systemic approach, rather than rely on siloed technology-specific targets.

New services arising from vehicle connectivity will improve peaceful driving, comfort and life of drivers and passengers, while contributing to road safety, infrastructure optimization, ecological transition and vehicle electrification. As with any digital technology, data represents the key component in these developments.

UFE supports the adoption of an ambitious and growth-friendly EU climate target for 2040, provided it is underpinned by a credible and pragmatic framework that safeguards European industrial competitiveness. The effectiveness of the target will depend entirely on Europes capacity to implement it.

UFE supports the principle underlying the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, as it aims to preserve the competitiveness of European industry and to prevent carbon leakage, in a context of increased climate ambition at European level. However, in the case of electricity imports, UFE has identified two main issues that should be addressed with regard to the carbon price paid in a third country.

UFE welcomes the EC initiative to revise the Directive 2006/66/CE on batteries which will offer strong opportunities for a competitive, circular and sustainable value chain for batteries produced in Europe. UFE would like to emphasise the following points in the EC Roadmap.

UFE thanks the Commission for the opportunity to share its analysis on the proposed revised Regulation. Please find attached our detailed feedback. 1. Placing on the market prohibition * For voltage level 12-24kV, a transition time up to 1st January 2028 would be more appropriate, considering the existing market deployment. 2.

UFE supports the principle underlying the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which aims to preserve the competitiveness of European industry and prevent carbon leakage, in a context of increased climate ambition at European level. In this mechanism, the emission factor represents the carbon content in the price of electricity.

UFE, the association representing the French Electricity industry, welcomes the European Commission's Net Zero Industry Act and the EU's political willingness to reindustrialize Europe and equip it for the energy transition. It sends positive signals to the industry, aiming at scaling up the manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU by 2030.

UFE welcomes warmly the EC’s intention to revise the Regulation 2019/631/EU setting CO2 emission standards for cars and vans. Given the planned increase of the 2030 target of GHG emission reduction from 40% to 55% and the new reduction objective of 90% of emissions by 2050 for the transport sector, UFE considers it is essential to ensure CO2 emission standards for cars and vans consistent with the new EU climate…

UFE welcomes the Commissions initiative to introduce a Grid Package. A robust and resilient electricity network is essential for the electrification of uses and a key enabler of the low-carbon transition. Enhancing grid planning To ensure effective network planning at EU level, grid operators in cooperation with ENTSO-E and the DSO Entity play an essential role in the TYNDP.

UFE, the association representing the French Electricity industry, thanks the European Commission for the opportunity to react to its proposal for a new Regulation on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR). UFE supports the proposal made by the European Commission as it sends positive signals regarding the electrification of transport, a necessity to decarbonise this sector.

UFE welcomes the revision of the Directive 2014/94/EU and supports the Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) proposed by the EC to adapt the Directive to the EU Green Deal. The AFID revision is needed to address a fragmented European charging infrastructure market, to support investment and remove market barriers, with the aim to allow a smooth uptake of e-mobility and a seamless driver experience for EU citizens.

UFE strongly supports the EC initiative. Reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels makes it both crucial and urgent to accelerate electrification, which is the key condition to address climate change while strengthening European competitiveness and independence.

The strategy should aim at accelerating the decarbonisation of industry and buildings, which is a prerequisite for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. By promoting more efficient solutions such as HP and lowering our reliance on imported fossil fuels, this transition is also a key lever to reduce households energy bills and strengthen Europes energy security. 1.

Alongside the publication of the evaluation roadmap and inception impact assessment, UFE welcomes the intention of the EC to review the guidelines for trans-European Energy infrastructure by the end of the year.

UFE considers the decarbonisation of the EUs vehicle fleet as a major issue in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The electrification of LDVs is the cornerstone of this transition to sustainable mobility. Ahead of the review of the CO2 standards regulation for cars and vans, UFE would like to reaffirm its support to the regulation and the 2035 zero-emission target: 1.

A high level of cybersecurity across the EU can only be achieved through a systemic approach UFE supports the extension of the scope to more (sub)sectors. The introduction of a new distinction between essential and important entities with identical risk management and reporting obligations is a significant improvement.

Achieving the EUs objective requires an accelerated electrification of end uses, which structurally enhances energy efficiency across the economy. Energy efficiency plays a key role in reducing the EUs reliance on fossil fuels imports, provided it delivers tangible CO2 emissions reductions, particularly in buildings, and supports economic growth.

As part of the process of didentification of acceleration areas provided for in the revision of the RED, the EBU recommends that certain tools and practices be used by the Commission when drawing up its guidelines, namely: I – ASSOCIER THE TERRITORIES ON THE AREAS acceleration to associate the designation of areas with consideration of electricity grid planning: in association with network operators, in particular…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

UFE welcomes the upcoming revision of the Energy Security Framework. Priority should be given to implementation, as several of these regulations have only recently entered into force or are about to be adopted. Any initiative aimed at revising existing frameworks should primarily seek to strengthen coordination. UFE advocates for the Smart streamlining (policy option 1).

Given the surge of electric vehicle (EV) sales in 2020 and the 90% emission reduction objective set by 2050 for the transport sector in the EU Green Deal, UFE fully welcomes the announced revision of the EU guidelines for the development of Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

UFE welcomes the consultation of the European Commission ahead of the revision of the Directive ITS. In light of the surge of electric vehicles (EVs) on the market in 2020, expected to be continued in 2021, the French electricity industry would like to highlight the need to integrate several aspects regarding electric vehicles (EVs) in the revised Directive.

UFE would like to thank the European Commission for the opportunity to share its analysis of the proposed draft regulation aimed at harmonising procedures for accessing the data required to switch electricity supplier within the EU. Legislation currently in force in France already meets the requirements set out in this draft regulation.