WEMO 2025 (complet) - Flipbook - Page 78
03 Energy transition: countries perspective
The new European strategy also focuses on reindustrialization, that includes modernizing the
grid and accelerating investment permitting, as
electri昀椀cation can only add value when grid
congestion is alleviated. But as energy grids
become increasingly digital, safeguarding this
critical infrastructure from foreign access and
in昀氀uence is essential. In this context, Europe’s
reliance on Chinese energy technology is
considered a growing security risk. Reducing
dependency and investing in domestic or allied
production of key technologies will be crucial to
ensure a secure and resilient energy transition.
Europe faces a complex three-dimensional
challenge: energy transition × sovereignty ×
competitiveness (a昀昀ordable energy prices).
Moreover, there is increasing support for nuclear
energy, with some countries (e.g., Denmark,
Belgium) rethinking their positions and joining
France, which produces roughly 70% of its
electricity from nuclear and has much lower CO2
emissions per capita than its neighbors.
The United States, caught in a trade war with
China, had a more robust energy transition policy
under President Biden, which was later reversed
under President Trump. Trump’s support for EVs
(partly in昀氀uenced by his relationship with Elon
Musk) proved inconsistent, leaving the future of
American energy policy uncertain and favoring
fossil fuels. The latest spending bill proposes
signi昀椀cant cuts to green energy incentives,
including the early termination of tax credits for
clean manufacturing and household
technologies, if passed.
Saudi Arabia’s policy, by contrast, is notably
ambitious when it comes to net zero. The
Kingdom has announced major plans to
develop a comprehensive EV ecosystem,
establish a civil nuclear power industry, and
invest in carbon capture and storage.
Interestingly, the same oil revenues that have
fueled the Kingdom’s economic success are
now enabling greater freedom to experiment
with renewable energy solutions.
