Eugenio Quintieri, Secretary General of EBC said “Small-scale renewable installations create sustainable jobs in the construction sector, which has a total direct workforce of 18 million people and contributes about 9% to the EU GDP. Putting the brakes on the development of small renewable installations will endanger the EU's ambition to become a global leader inrenewable energy. Not only would this put a large amount of skilled, local and non-transferable jobs in our construction SMEs at risk, but would also threaten the engagement of EU citizens in cleaner energy. The energy transition cannot happen if we do not value the contribution of our small-scale renewable installers”.
James Watson, CEO of SolarPower Europe commented “It is vital that policymakers heed the sentiment of the European construction sector and support rules that will enable small scale renewables. Stifling small installations will harm the opportunities this segment offers to builders across Europe, likely costing jobs and economic growth. These are local and sustainable jobs that we need much more of, if we are to make the low-carbon economy a reality”.
“Having Energy Cities – the mayors of over 1000 EU cities, REScoop – representing over 1 million EU energy cooperatives, UIPI – representing 5 million EU property owners and now EBC joining our campaign to protect small renewable installations shows the widespread cross-sectoral support for our campaign. The Small is Beautiful campaign is growing because our clean energy progress is at stake, we urgently need to develop a proportionate framework to enable small-scale renewables to thrive in Europe”, added Aurélie Beauvais, Policy Director of SolarPower Europe.
