Europäischer Rechnungshof - European Court of Auditors
Critical raw materials: can the EU secure the supplies it needs for renewable energy?
- Bild-Infos
- Download
Critical raw materials: can the EU secure the supplies it needs for renewable energy?
- Online press briefing under embargo on 2 February at 10.00 CET (RSVP)
- Publication the same day at 17.00 CET
- Video and audio statements available upon request
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) would like to invite you to an online press briefing on its upcoming special report on EU actions to ensure a long-term, secure supply of critical raw materials for the energy transition by 2030. It will be held in English and under embargo at 10.00 a.m. CET on Monday 2 February.
The purpose of the briefing is to provide you with a detailed overview of the audit, and to put its conclusions and recommendations into context. It will also give you a chance to discuss the report with ECA Member Keit Pentus-Rosimannus and representatives of the audit team.
RSVP: Please let us know by 1.00 p.m. on Friday 30 January whether you intend to take part in the virtual briefing; we will then send you detailed instructions on how to connect.
To allow for an informed discussion, confirmed participants can receive an embargoed copy of the report and press release upon request ahead of the briefing. Both documents will be published on the ECA’s website on 2 February at 5.00 p.m. CET.
Background
Ensuring a secure supply of critical raw materials is essential for achieving the EU’s energy objectives, especially in view of the increasing share of renewables. However, the situation is not promising: for most critical raw materials, the EU is highly (if not solely) dependent on third countries. For example, China provides 97 % of the EU’s magnesium (used in hydrogen-generating electrolysers) and Türkiye provides 99 % of the EU’s boron (used in solar panels). In response, the EU has taken a number of steps in recent years, including the adoption of the Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to increase EU capacity for strategic raw materials (so-called due to their high economic importance and supply risks) by 2030.
The report assesses EU action to increase the security of supply of critical materials. In particular, the auditors analyse the EU’s ambitions to diversify imports, increase domestic production, and improve reuse and recycling.
Contact:
ECA press office: press@eca.europa.eu