Energy Transition by 2050: A Multifaceted Challenge for Europe

The objective of this policy paper is to analyse the issues posed by the multifaceted challenge of the energy transition of Europe by 2050, taking place within the framework of the transition towards a competitive low-carbon economy by 2050. The EU transition to a low-carbon society may be described as the “third industrial revolution”, requiring a massive transformation of the energy sector from production, transport and distribution to use and storage.

This energy transition raises major questions to be addressed, such as inter alia: What are the core energy resources of the future European energy mix? How to encourage energy efficiency measures? What are the required clean energy technologies and can the EU compete worldwide in developing and deploying them? How to modernise, adapt, expand and further integrate the energy infrastructures in Europe? How to finance the
energy transition? What are both the responsibility and the contribution from the public and private sectors? What levels of governance are required (local, national, regional, EU and/or international)?

This policy brief aims at summing up the main issues related to the energy transition of Europe by 2050.