Business leaders back low-carbon EU energy plan

22 major companies including Alstom, EDF, GlaxoSmithKline and Heathrow Airport have urged EU members to deliver a "low-carbon, resilient and affordable" energy system.

In a letter, the businesses have addressed heads of state meeting in Brussels today for two-day conference that will focus on the bloc's plans for an Energy Union.

The letter called for "an effective and forward-looking Energy Union will deliver major economic benefits to Europe and unlock new markets and opportunities for European business, while providing an affordable and reliable energy supply."

In February, the Commission unveiled plans to establish free transmission of energy across the EU, creating a connected electricity market that is "more interconnected, more renewable, and more responsive" while reducing the reliance on energy imports.

In the letter, the 22 companies’ leaders urge member states to support the Commission's plan, which "shows that Europe is serious about securing and decarbonising Europe's energy supplies."

They add that the package could be strengthened "so that it ensures new flows of finance to low-carbon infrastructure and reducing energy use."

The letter also says: "The EU needs an energy system that is robust to geopolitical risks, unstable fuel prices, and an escalating climate crisis. We consider the answer to these challenges to be an integrated and interconnected energy market that is led by the equal aims of security and delivering low-carbon, renewable energy and energy efficiency goals as specified in the 2030 framework."