As the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) calls for EU states to close the ‘planning gap’ to hit climate targets, Aggreko is urging high energy users across the continent to take immediate steps towards a more decentralised, renewable energy model.

The new report from the CATF has found that EU member states need to maximise the short and medium-term planning potential of their national Energy and Climate Plans (NECP). Only four of 27 member states submitted revisions to their plans ahead of the recent deadline.

With concern raised that a resilient low carbon energy infrastructure may be delayed, Aggreko is urging high energy users across Europe in sectors such as manufacturing, data centres and petrochemical refinery to adopt a decentralised energy approach on their sites.

Chris Rason, Managing Director, Aggreko Energy Services, said: “While the development of a smarter and greener power infrastructure in Europe is underway, it is clear that delays and cost are cause for concern where energy resilience is concerned. Energy intensive industries may find adopting decentralised energy models avoid disruption caused by resilience issues relating to this ‘planning gap’ identified by CATF in its new report.

“However, upgrades through outright purchases are made more difficult because of supply chain disruption and capex costs. This means that organisations may need to plan their models more carefully using temporary bridging solutions to provide the resilience they need when moving to a renewable decentralised model.”

As businesses take steps in transitioning to a decentralised energy model, they require technologies and expertise to support their own pathways towards energy resilience and reducing emissions. To support organisations across energy intensive industries, Aggreko has highlighted solutions for high energy users to navigate a complex energy market and avoid downtime for grid resilience issues in its Race to Resilience report.

It identifies steps high energy users can take to safeguard power provision in the immediate future, and how other tools and services may help facility stakeholders to best guarantee long-term energy security. The report also explores how plants can reduce carbon emissions and transmission losses while boosting resilience against external events, such as insufficient power supply from the grid.

Chris adds added: “Our Race to Resilience report aims to bridge the gap between exponential increases in energy demand and supply disruptions, and the need to achieve energy security and sustainability. Decentralised solutions including microgrids, gas-powered generators, combined heat and power, and energy storage can deliver this enhanced energy resilience as European industry makes the transition to renewable source of energy.”

For more information on Aggreko and to read Race To Resilience, click here.