Author: Jörg Mühlenhoff


Jörg Mühlenhoff is since October 2023 Head of Programme - European Energy Transition at Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union. As part of the office's Green Transformation Team, he covers EU energy policies and Europe’s transition to a fully renewable energy system. Jörg has 20 years of experience in working for associations and companies in the renewable energy sector in Germany and on the EU level. Prior to joining the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, he advocated for citizens’ access to renewables with BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, coordinated CAN Europe’s energy scenario building and was scientific advisor at the German Renewable Energies Agency. Jörg is a political scientist and studied at University of Münster and Institut d’études politiques de Lille. He is fluent in German, English, French and Dutch.

Europe’s energy transition needs deeper integration. The North Sea is where it could start

by Jörg Mühlenhoff

Cross-continental energy networks are the backbone of Europe’s energy transition. With the accelerated roll-out of solar panels and wind turbines, policymakers and grid operators now feel the back pain from limited energy infrastructure capacities. How can the EU rehab our existing electricity grids and gas pipelines? Two new publications from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union provide guidance. Jörg Mühlenhoff reports.

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Strengthening citizens’ participation in the EU’s energy transition – a toolbox

by Jörg Mühlenhoff

Europe’s switch to renewable energy supply and efficient energy consumption is gaining momentum, not only as a result of the European Green Deal but also in reaction to the fossil fuel price crisis. EU legislation already creates some opportunities for citizens to access affordable renewable energy more directly, as well as to facilitate energy savings through, for example, building renovation. In a new Knowledge Community, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and the Green European Foundation (GEF) gather a broad range of experts from EU institutions, local governments, industry, consumer organisations and think tanks to look into these opportunities. The aim is to explore concrete tools and identify their current potential, as well as the remaining gaps that need addressing. Analysis by Taube Van Melkebeke and Jörg Mühlenhoff

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100% renewables: the way forward to fix Europe’s energy and climate issues

by Jörg Mühlenhoff

When confronted with energy price explosions and the climate crisis, the EU cannot waste time and money on castles in the air. Instead of betting on unproven solutions far from market introduction, such as small modular reactors and the broad deployment of all kinds of carbon removal technologies, the EU should build on what works right now. Renewable energy sources have proven to be by far the most relevant and reliable solution. In our new 100% Renewable Action Plan for the next European Commission, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe) describe what needs to happen after the 2024 European elections to harvest the benefits of renewables. Jörg Mühlenhoff reports.

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