Med9 energy ministers reach agreement establishing a Mediterranean Green Energy Hub
In a historic agreement, Med9 energy ministers committed to making the Mediterranean region a green energy hub that can lead the EU’s drive for a decarbonised, energy-independent Europe.
On Thursday, the energy ministers of the nine EU states in the Mediterranean region met in Malta for the first Med9 Energy Ministers’ Meeting. Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Enterprise Miriam Dalli led the meeting with the participation of European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and ministerial delegations from the other eight Mediterranean countries; Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.
The nine countries signed the Malta Statement, a joint declaration launching the vision for the Mediterranean Region as a Hub of Green Energy, to accelerate the EU’s drive for a decarbonised, energy-independent future. The Med9 countries agreed that the Mediterranean can become a centre of renewable energy investments, with a focus on offshore renewables and new energy interconnections between EU and non-EU Mediterranean countries, to facilitate European investment in green energy.
The joint statement sets out several important actions. The Med9 countries will be launching a steering committee to work together and plan the way forward for the establishment of the Mediterranean Green Energy Hub. This commitment will lead to new growth and employment opportunities in the region.
The Energy Ministers also invited the EU Commission to conduct a comprehensive report to study the potential of green energy corridors that can link Europe with the renewable energy potential in neighbouring North African countries and to prioritise funding for the development of these critical Mediterranean interconnections. They also agreed to prioritise the investments in renewable energy solutions, such as offshore renewables, solar PV power generation systems, the production and transportation of renewable hydrogen, and storage solutions.
Finally, the Malta Statement affirms that the nine countries will work to make sure that every member state can benefit from the Mediterranean region’s green energy potential.
Minister Miriam Dalli said, “Today marks our first step to join forces and to work harder as Med9 countries, together with our Mediterranean partners. We all recognise that investments in renewable energy infrastructure are not simply a forward-looking commitment with long-term objectives. These investments are the best solution to our current challenges. Malta is working hard to achieve its climate and energy objectives, as we look forward to new investments in offshore renewables and battery storage systems, and to double our interconnection with mainland Europe, for increased sustainability and security in the coming years.”
European Commissioner Kadri Simson said, “Today’s discussions in Valletta take place on the first anniversary of the REPowerEU plan, which the Commission launched to accelerate the deployment of renewables and to increase investment in energy efficiency while diversifying our energy supplies and suppliers. REPowerEU is a Mediterranean success story. During the past year, we have seen a record deployment of renewables in the region. Today this ambition was reconfirmed, and the Commission remains ready to assist where needed to help the Mediterranean region become a green energy hub.”
Photos (DOI/MEEE)
