Clean Energy Technology Seminar, CIFIT, Xiamen

Toespraak | 09-09-2009

Speaking notes Ms. M.J.A. van der Hoeven, the Netherlands Minister of Economic Affairs, Clean Energy Technology Seminar, CIFIT, Xiamen - 8 September 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

  • It is a delight to be here today!
  • CIFIT is all about international investment opportunities. About getting to know one another, looking for shared opportunities, making business work.
  • I am particularly glad that this seminar on clean energy technology energy is part of CIFIT. My compliments to today's organisers.
  • In today's world it is vital that we keep up a firm commitment to raising sustainability levels. If we wish to preserve our planet for future generations, we have no choice but to act now and do so with vigour and strong conviction.
  • As the Dutch Minister responsible for energy, I will today speak on the issue of 'sustainable energy', which covers both renewable energy supply and energy efficiency measures.
  • It is in both fields that we aim to make significant progress within the coming ten years.
  • By raising efficiency standards, we can cut down on energy consumption. Still, though our use of renewables will increase, we are likely to depend on fossil fuels for many decades to come. I would also like to emphasise the need for 'clean fossil', therefore, necessitating the further development of CCS technology, for instance.
  • Our energy policy is part of a wider scheme. The EU has outlined a set of climate goals for 2020, involving a 20% cut in CO2-emission levels. The Netherlands has raised this target to 30%. Also, we wish to raise energy efficiency by 2% annually and work towards a 20% share of renewables in overall energy consumption.
  • Energy concerns are global concerns. We should profit from the opportunity to join hands! In times of economic crisis, particularly, we must work together in facing the challenges of our age.
  • International collaboration - at government level and among businesses across the globe - is vital to the success of energy policy worldwide.
  • Here I would like to emphasise that China and the Netherlands are natural partners in the business of sustainable energy and technology. We can learn from one another, exchange knowledge and expertise and cooperate in setting up business ventures.
  • In this respect, I am very happy and proud to announce that China and the Netherlands will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy in Beijing tomorrow. It aims to promote joint research, technology transfer and bilateral cooperation in the field of clean energy, renewables and energy efficiency. China and the Netherlands are reaching out to one another. Wonderful!
  • This afternoon a line-up of Dutch business and banking representatives will give an overview of business opportunities. Many international companies choose to settle in the Netherlands because of its conducive business climate, promoting growth and productivity. The Netherlands is a small country, yet its location within Europe is highly strategic. In addition, it offers professional infrastructure and a favourable tax regime.
  • Of course, these are uncertain times - economically speaking - for investment. Still, I feel strongly about engaging business and industry - at home and abroad - in support of our sustainability ambitions.
  • One of the questions before us today is what governments can do to bring predictability and stability to the massive investment ahead.
  • I will tell you: the answer lies in developing strong public-private partnership and making the right choices at the right time.
  • As to public-private partnership… Let me state one thing clearly (just to avoid all misunderstanding): businesses retain full control over their investment portfolios. Of course! Still, I think government can make a huge difference by setting an agenda for change.
  • Government should provide for incentives to develop sustainable entrepreneurship and we must facilitate R&D. Businesses that decide to go green or choose to make sustainable projects their core business simply need all the support they can get.
  • Next to incentives and market based instruments such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (referred to as ETS) we must not shy away form stronger interventions if needed. In our effort to reduce CO2 emissions, the ETS system is leading and very effective, but more is needed.
  • To illustrate this dual approach: we strongly support rapid development of Carbon Capture and Storage (referred to as CCS), with incentives (subsidies for Technology Development) and by bringing CCS under the ETS. But we are also looking at compulsory measures to speed up the introduction of CCS. Today, every new power plant must be built capture-ready and as from 2020 every power plant must implement CCS. We can simply not afford to have the market hesitate on such an important issue.
  • As regards my second point, making the right choices at the right time… Here I also believe government can help business find a way forward.
  • For instance, the Netherlands government has opted to increase its funding of wind energy projects at sea as part of its economy stimulation package. That means additional funding for 500 Megawatt. Generally speaking, there is massive potential for offshore wind energy in the North Sea. Businesses do well to invest! Together we should be able to reach our target of 6000 Megawatt in 2020!
  • It is not only companies in the wind industry that stand to benefit. The traditional offshore industry and dredging companies, for example, also profit from developments in the offshore wind industry. Ballast Nedam - present here today - is a prime example.
  • China and the Netherlands both have much to offer when it comes to renewables. Already, China is the world's leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and may possibly overtake the US as the planet's leading wind turbine manufacturers.
  • In the next ten years China will invest 400 to 600 billion dollar in domestic sustainable projects, featuring solar power, wind power as well as nuclear energy. On the whole, the Netherlands takes up a particularly strong position in clean energy R&D. In both wind energy and solar PV, we will become increasingly active in market deployment, so we look to China with great interest!
  • Our ambitions in the field of sustainable energy provide a wide array of business opportunities. Here government and business can show just what can be achieved by working together internationally. The MoU we are about to sign will prove helpful, I am sure.
  • All in all, I think we may safely conclude that China and the Netherlands are making considerable headway in sustainable development, though we cannot and must not close our eyes to the long road that is still ahead of us.
  • It is my sincere hope that the Copenhagen climate summit scheduled for December this year will effect the long-awaited breakthrough in international negotiations. It is vital that the world's foremost economies now join hands in championing the cause of sustainable development.
  • Cooperation at international level will translate into even more opportunities for business to work with partners abroad. Sustainable technology is highly-specialised. I hope for experts around the world to join forces and develop solutions that will prove widely applicable and - of course - marketable.
  • CIFIT has brought us to Xiamen with high expectations for business. Let's all contribute to a green future and do so now! I wish you all the very best.
  • Thank you.