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There is no shortage of challenges as the European Union prepares to launch a much-needed energy union. However, playing to Europes strengths will give us the confidence and inspiration to deliver a secure, low-carbon and competitive energy system.

The presentation of its strategic framework for an energy union on 25 February is an important milestone for the new European Commission. Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the Commission, was quick to pick up on Donald Tusks call for a co-ordinated European energy policy and put it at the top of his political priorities.

During the first three months of the Commissions mandate, Vice-President Maro efovi has worked hard to build on the foundations of the energy union concept. Delivering a strategic framework, co-ordinated with a myriad departments, in the Juncker Commissions first 100 days, demonstrates the political importance of energy for this administration.

The pace and approach of the new Commission clearly indicates an attempt to break with the past. However, in attempting to convey a sense of urgency, the tone of the debate seems to be surprisingly familiar.

The Commission lists the well-known difficult circumstances in which the EU finds itself: an over-dependence on external supplies, outdated energy infrastructure, an incomplete and dysfunctional internal market, and the high price of energy compared to other regions and competing global markets.

For some, such a list may be an incentive to act, for many others it hardly provides a sense of confidence that the EU can address the current situation effectively. We at Westinghouse believe that there is another, more positive way to look at our current situation. The EU has at least four reasons to be optimistic about its energy future.

1. With 790 Mtoe (one million tonnes of oil equivalent), the EU today produces nearly half of its own consumption in the EU. What is more, 53% of this energy comes from low carbon renewable and nuclear sources, providing the basis of Europes energy security. Across the 28 member states, hydro, wind and solar energy capacity, along with 131 nuclear reactors, produce 24% and 29% respectively of the EUs domestic energy with no CO2 emissions. This is a solid basis for Europes transition to a low-carbon society.

2. Europe has an extensive existing network to transport energy. Our electricity grid may be in dire need of upgrading, but we are not starting from zero. A lot of what is required to meet our future needs already exists. This is a tremendous asset that needs to be maintained and improved, which can also avoid investments in redundant capacity.

3. The EU is home to a number of leading energy players that are able to compete in regional and global markets, creating high value, sustainable jobs in the EU and assisting non-EU countries to improve their energy security. For example, Westinghouses nuclear fuel facility in Sweden now also supplies fuel to an increasing number of nuclear power plants in Ukraine. Its just one example of how Europeans are helping an important neighbouring country to diversify its energy supplies and thereby contribute to greater energy security. Maintaining an internationally competitive energy industry is therefore essential if the EU is to play a stronger role on the international scene.

4. With a population of more than 500 million people, over 7% of the worlds population, the EU is a vast market for energy producers and energy services. Maximising the strengths of its domestic market and a strong industry will help make the EU an energy efficient, low carbon and increasingly electrified society. To make this happen, we need human ingenuity, technological innovation and targeted investments.

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Lets build an energy union based on Europes strengths