The new energy crisis shows us that bureaucracy no longer has a place in the EU

Virgil Popescu argues that the new energy pressures generated by the conflict in the Middle East show why the European Union needs to accelerate the decision-making process, reduce bureaucracy in the energy sector, and transform planned investments into reality more quickly if it wants to achieve true energy independence.

The new energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East seems to have caught Europe once again in a state of moderate panic. We have learned some lessons from previous crises, but not enough to be able to remain calm. The pressure is once again being transferred to citizens, industry, and SMEs.

We have not had enough time to fulfill our security and energy independence objectives, despite the measures taken after the COVID crisis and after Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine.

If we look closely, we see that geopolitics first hits energy. It hits hard, with immediate effects on prices. From here, a whole chain of economic and social problems begins. One of the recent reactions has been the call to citizens to work more from home and to travel less.

Despite the plans adopted and the funds allocated, not enough has been done from the COVID period until today. Investments in energy require time, not just money. However, often this time is unnecessarily extended by bureaucracy, by long deadlines for obtaining approvals and authorizations, by complicated procedures, and by the lack of effective coordination.

There is already a plan from the European Commission to reduce bureaucracy in the energy sector. I believe, however, that it is time to accelerate its adoption and to turn the solutions on paper into reality. We need shorter deadlines, more professionalism, complete interconnections, and clear rules, so that energy can be produced at competitive costs and can flow freely throughout the European Union.

We can no longer rely on favorable geography, on the luck of a favorable energy mix, on wind, sun, or sea waves, if we do not also build a predictable framework, with short waiting times and well-prepared teams to carry out investments at a rapid pace.

This is what the European Union needs now: the acceleration of the decision-making process, the reduction of bureaucracy, and rapid investments, in order to truly become energy independent.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/analize-si-opinii/noua-criza-energetica-ne-arata-ca-birocratia-nu-isi-mai-are-locul-in-ue