Wopke Hoekstra calls for concrete action to meet renewable energy targets

European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra has called for concrete actions to achieve renewable energy goals, Report informs.

He made this statement at the ministerial dialogue on "Scaling Investments to Triple Renewable Energy and Double Energy Efficiency" within COP29 in Baku.

He noted that achieving the set goals, such as tripling renewable energy use, requires significant improvement of existing power grids.

"According to the International Energy Agency, by the end of this decade, 25 million kilometers of new and improved grid lines will be needed. Global demand for lithium, cobalt, and other minerals is projected to triple by 2030. The extraction and processing of these resources must also be at necessary volumes," he said.

Hoekstra also emphasized that investments are necessary to achieve the set goals.

"Europe leads as a climate finance provider, and we allocate $31 billion annually in public funding. However, this is not enough; the private sector must also take steps in this direction," he said.

The commissioner reminded that 760 million people today lack access to electricity, with the majority living in sub-Saharan Africa.

"These countries have great potential for clean energy. It is our common duty to support them, reduce capital costs, and create conditions for global energy transition everywhere," he said.