Kelly Calls for Urgent Action on Renewable Energy and Grid Modernization

Strasbourg – Sean Kelly, MEP for Ireland South and Leader of the Fine Gael delegation in the European Parliament, has called for swift and decisive action to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy, modernize Europe’s energy grid, and remove obstacles in the planning process that are stifling progress.

Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr. Kelly emphasized that Europe’s competitiveness is at a critical juncture. “The energy price crisis we’ve faced since 2021 has laid bare the reality: Europe cannot be competitive without affordable and predictable energy costs,” he said. “As long as we are dependent on imported fossil fuels, and as long as fossil fuel prices dictate our electricity costs, Europe will continue to struggle.”

Kelly called for Europe to break the cycle of reliance on volatile, external energy sources by embracing indigenous, renewable energy solutions. “European competitiveness requires European energy independence, and that independence must be grounded in renewables—wind, solar, and innovative storage technologies like long-duration storage,” he explained. “These technologies are key to stabilizing electricity prices and providing businesses with the predictability they need to succeed.”

Highlighting the need for urgent reforms, Kelly stressed that delays in planning and grid modernization are hampering the necessary transition. “The bottlenecks in our planning process and the outdated state of our grid are slowing us down. We need to remove these barriers if we are serious about lowering costs for both industries and consumers.”

Kelly argued that the time for action is now, both for the sake of European industry and the wellbeing of citizens across the EU. “By decoupling electricity prices from fossil fuels, we can give Europe a competitive edge and reduce our reliance on external markets. This is not just about energy—it’s about securing the future of European industry and ensuring prosperity for our citizens.”

He concluded with a call to his European counterparts to take a bold stance. “We cannot afford to follow. Europe must lead the global energy transition. A strong statement from the Council next week would be a welcome and necessary step forward.”