“Our societies have become fully aware of the dramatic effects caused by climate change which require all of us to radically rethink the foundations of our life, economic and productive systems”, underlined the Head of State, during a seminar on energy and renewables in Norway
“The senseless aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine has made us fully aware of the strategic value of energy resources. Not only because of their heavy economic impact, particularly in times of crisis, but because the security and future of our communities also for energy security and independence. The management of energy resources, as well as of food resources, cannot be an improper form of pressure and threat against the autonomy and independence of other peoples”. This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the University of Trondheim, in northern Norway, where he spoke atd a seminar on energy and renewable energies.
“Climate change forces us to make radical choices”
“Our societies have become fully aware of the dramatic effects caused by climate change which require all of us to radically rethink the foundations of our life, economic and productive systems. Added to this is the senseless aggression of the Russian Federation against the Ukraine which has also made us fully aware of the strategic value of energy resources”, added Mattarella. “Wind power in the North Sea and photovoltaic power in the Mediterranean basin could become, in the not too distant future, sources of clean energy on the European continent and thus fuel a new revolution in production processes and life models, as happened with coal from the Ruhr at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries,” he continued. “Thanks to an increasingly interconnected electricity grid, the complementarities between wind and solar energy – the production of which obviously depends on the daily weather conditions – will in fact be able to contribute to the security of supply and reduce the risks associated with the variable nature of the renewable sources. Norway and Italy can rightly cultivate the ambition of becoming pivots of a network which, from the wind farm platforms in the North Sea, connects up to the solar power plants of Sicily and, further on, of the Sahara desert, which in the next few years will be connected to the Europe thanks to the Elmed project, the electric cable that will connect Tunisia to Italy”.
“It’s time to accelerate the green transition”
“Achieving security and independence therefore does not mean relying exclusively on traditional energy sources, failing in the commitment to fight climate change. The change of pace must concern innovation, not just the change of supply routes and suppliers. It is necessary a new paradigm, it is necessary to have the ambition to be in the front group that drives the change, rather than in the rear group aimed at managing a depleting past. The green transition must be accelerated”.
“Cooperation between Europe and Africa is essential for the success of decarbonisation strategies, including the prospect of green hydrogen production. The collaboration between Norwegian and Italian businesses can play a significant role in promoting the energy transition, as well as the cooperation in the technical and scientific fields. An example is provided by the growth, both in Norway and in Italy, of the offshore wind sector, which offers significant possibilities. Also the application of new technologies for “green shipping” -, discussed in one of the sessions of the seminar, presents as many opportunities for exchange between our countries, especially in the shipbuilding sector and the development of a cruise sector that is increasingly attentive to the environment.The cooperation already in place between universities and research in our countries, are likely to be increased to thus promote important progress in the experimentation of new green and eco-sustainable technologies. The growing presence of Italian researchers and university professors, active in universities and research centers here in Norway, will certainly be able to contribute to the development of these sustainability processes. The many existing collaborations between Norway and Italy allow us to look with confidence to the future of our cooperation also in this crucial area of the green transition. With ever stronger partnerships we will be able to successfully respond to the challenges posed by climate change and guarantee a future of prosperity and progress for the younger generations”, concluded the president.
Source-tg24.sky.it