Brussels, 14/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - At his hearing on Thursday 14 January before the European Parliament energy committee chaired by Herbert Reul (EPP, Germany), the commissioner-designate for energy, Günther Oettinger, also from Germany, expected to be grilled more than he was. He obviously convinced a large part of those at the hearing, playing all the right notes when it came to the major dossiers covered by his future portfolio - such as promotion of renewable energies and energy efficiency, diversification of sources and supply routes, strengthened interconnection and storage capacities - but also regarding the continuation of common external energy policy. He remained cautious on the thornier issues, such as the nuclear option and questions relating to respect of subsidiarity and the management of radioactive waste, as well as on the separation of production/distribution activities (unbundling) and transmission system operators, which raises the question of independence vis-à-vis the industry. He was also cautious on energy security, which calls for balanced action not only to break the energy isolation of some member states but also to diversify suppliers, while ensuring good relations with Russia. Oettinger above all won over the members of the EPP, including his compatriots Werner Langen and Angelica Niebler, who praised the competence and mastery shown by him during a “brilliant” presentation.
The commissioner-designate for energy makes the promotion of renewables and energy efficiency the priorities of his mandate with a view to reaching the “20-20-20” objective by 2020, i.e. to increase the share of renewables in the EU's primary energy mix to 20%, save 20% of energy consumption in the EU and reduce the EU's CO2 emissions by 20%. He promises to rapidly present a revised action plan for energy efficiency, while calling for time to discuss how appropriate it is to have a binding objective. On the subject of energy security, Oettinger would like “increased coordination” with the EU27 energy policies and external policy with greater solidarity. To this end, he recommends strengthened interconnection and infrastructure for the transport of electricity and gas, in greater transparency, for the benefit of consumers. He also recommends the development of infrastructure for renewable energies, and states he has a “vision” for the European super intelligent network (Supergrid), which will link the North Sea with the Mediterranean. Above all, the commissioner-designate is adamant about solidarity between member states. In his view, a final decision on Nabucco is necessary from this year on and, generally speaking, he recommends the conclusion of multilateral agreements between the EU27 and third supplier countries on the construction of infrastructures and deliveries rather than inward-looking bilateral agreements between one member state and a supplier country, so that no member state feels it is “left out”, as were Poland and the Baltic States within the framework of the German-Russian Nordstream gas pipeline project. “We have to seek external agreements which give no exclusive rights or any advantage to some member states. Every national market and every industrial client in the EU must have fair access to supplies. The market has to be transparent and open,” he said. Oettinger wants, too, to ensure that the 3rd legislative package on liberalising the internal energy market is properly implemented.
At no time did the current President of the land of Baden-Württemberg seem in difficulty, even when asked by Luxembourg Green Claude Turmes about his links with industry, or by Swedish Social Democrat Marita Ulvskog on his involvement with a think tank known for its anti-Semitic and homophobic pronouncements. He said he had very close, warm relations with the German Jewish community, dismissing the controversy over his 2007 comments, when he defended the Nazi past of one of his predecessors in the leadership of Baden-Württemberg, Hans Filbinger. Oettinger also gave assurances that he would not represent the interests of his country's powerful energy industry. He was not, he said, a German Commissioner, adding that he would not take the side of German interests. He did admit, however, to close links with a number of German energy group leaders, though swore that he did not have shares in E.ON or RWE. “I have always been independent, I have always tried to be fair, and I have refused to be influenced by economic interests,” he said, adding that he would prove himself to be up to the European dimension.
With regard to the implementation of Community internal market rules, his experience in leading Baden-Württemberg persuaded MEPs that he would ensure that the 3rd package was properly implemented. Development of renewables in his region, higher than the German national average, also gave him a great deal of credibility on promoting green energies. Oettinger also promised a full environmental and economic report on bioenergies. On nuclear power, he was cautious, noting several times that he believed in subsidiarity. “On the basis of the current Treaty, the issue has to be decided by national parliaments and national governments. I see myself as a moderator, not an ambassador, on the nuclear issue,” he stated. He argued for strict standards for all of Europe on radioactive waste and said that he would not allow any nuclear dumping. Lastly, Oettinger laid great emphasis on research in the field of energy, especially with regard to clean coal plants and also on electric transport. (E.H./transl.jl/rt)