Invest now to reduce energy prices, say EU science advisers

Short-term price rises from renewables transition would be countered by long-term reductions, say Commission’s experts

The chief scientific advisers to the European Commission have said that major investment is needed to expand low-carbon energy technologies, in response to the spike in energy prices across Europe in recent weeks.

The surge in energy costs has been driven by a global increase in demand for gas, leading to wholesale energy prices hitting an all-time high. This in turn has intensified the spotlight on renewable energy ahead of the international COP26 meeting on climate change later this month.