On Tuesday morning, the president of non-profit organisation Eurosolar Luxembourg joined our colleagues on RTL Radio to discuss the ongoing transition to renewable energies.
Zens, who is also co-president of the Greens' Luxembourg City section, expressed satisfaction over the record-breaking amount of solar energy produced in Luxembourg this year. July saw a year-on-year increase from 23.9 GWh to 40 GWh. Zens also drew attention to the fact that solar panels are by now able to produce energy consistently all year round, not only during the summer months.
Asked about Minister Turmes' announcement of gas price increases, Zens agreed that a tough winter lies ahead. He acknowledged that renewables will not be able to make up for shortages in the upcoming winter and therefore hopes that the government will continue supporting people.
Zens explained that a full energy transition will be costly at first, but drew attention to recent studies that estimate that long-term costs will decrease and therefore justify the investment. He also expressed certainty that renewables will be able to cover 100% of the country's demand in the near future and discarded nuclear power as "no longer needed".
The Eurosolar president also conveyed his support for the planned reform of the merit order, noting that both wind and sun provide energy for free, therefore making the artificial price regulation redundant. He also hopes that municipalities across the Grand Duchy will help accommodate people who are trying to install solar panels.
