EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU/EVP) spoke in favor of the electrification goal “35-by-35” at the World Climate Conference (COP 31) in Antalya.
In her speech on Wednesday, von der Leyen said, “The world has now entered the age of electricity. Therefore, I support the global electrification initiative 35-by-35 and call on others to join me.”
The current hosts of the conference, Turkey and Australia, have declared electrification as their central concern. The “35-by-35” goal stipulates that by 2035, 35 percent of total final energy consumption should be covered by electricity. Currently, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this figure is around 23 percent. To achieve this goal, the current pace of electrification would need to be quadrupled. According to the IEA, it is already economically viable for households and businesses to increase this share to 33 percent.
Von der Leyen explained, “The International Energy Agency has shown us that the 35-by-35 goal is within reach and that its realization could bring valuable benefits: lower energy costs for consumers, lower energy emissions, and greater energy security.” She added, “Last year, more than 70 percent of our electricity in the European Union came from clean sources, and we will go even further. Our electrification action plan aims to double the share of electricity in final energy consumption to 46 percent by 2040.” She stated this would be an important step toward becoming the first electrified continent.
“This summer was a summer of truth: devastating floods in Nepal, droughts from Sudan to Central America, and one of the worst wildfire seasons on record in Europe,” said the EU Commission President. “While the climate crisis unfolds, disruptions to energy supply via the Strait of Hormuz are shaking global energy markets. The world is currently experiencing the price of maintaining the status quo-both for our climate and for our energy security.”
