Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta: “Emissions must be reduced but with technological neutrality”

The book is not suitable for ‘haters’, that group of people who only try to have negative comments for everything. Based on technical, scientific and economic foundations, Fernández-Cuesta draws a line on what the energy transition should be based on these issues. And the key is that it does so without fanfare or seeking for any side to take the text as a flag to entrench itself in its postulates. It is a very complete reading to understand how social development can be combined and, in turn, reduce polluting emissions.

In a talk with ABC —and taking advantage of current events—, Fernández-Cuesta remembers that Donald Trump’s recent victory generates unknowns in the energy market, among other issues because it is not known what it will do with respect to the Paris Agreement. Something that adds to the end of the Russian gas transit contract that passes through Ukraine. Too many uncertainties for a society that demands concrete answers. But that is very difficult.

Transition with meaning

«Europe represents 7% of global emissions, being the leader in decarbonization does not make sense», explains Fernández-Cuesta. He assumes that it should be the responsibility of countries to control emissions, but that “those leadership claims are very complicated to execute. Even the 2050 objective can be sustained, but intermediate objectives depend on the technologies available at any given time.

In the course of the conversation, a very recurring question arises: “Who pays for the party?” The author of the book is clear: «There is money for the energy transition as long as profitability for the investment is offered. Now there is money for photovoltaics and wind, because it is profitable; but for example for batteries, not so much anymore. And here the final reflection is concrete: “The energy transition is an immense investment exercise.”

Another key in this energy transition should be technological neutrality. This formula aims to ensure that there is a combination of elements without discriminating against any raw material, as long as the emission reduction objectives are achieved.

Fernández-Cuesta gives as an example that «If we close nuclear plants, gas is needed, and it is more expensive, because renewables are not yet ready to occupy the entire mix.», and exposes another of the mantras with which the book arrives: «There is an excess of ideologization on all sides. On the one hand, those who deny climate change; and at the other extreme are those that everything has to be green.

Keys to the future

In energy matters it is very complicated to play with the crystal ball. War conflicts have shown that they can turn everything upside down, and create price crises that affect the world economy. Therefore, it is better not to predict, but to attend to what is needed. “What we have to do is invest in technological development,” argues Fernández-Cuesta. To accelerate the reduction of emissions there is no alternative.

But not everything is so simple. «Technological changes will solve the problems, but they come when they come, and that will be when goals must be set.». Until then, and it comes up again in the conversation, we must work with technological neutrality. It should be the market that regulates the implementation, for example, of batteries or hydrogen.

And in all this context, the key will also be access to good information. “Better energy dissemination could be done,” something that would be important so that society understands everything we are at stake, but without traps or a priori.