Brussels, 12/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Early November, the European Commission is due to adopt a new 10-year joint EU energy policy strategy. The outlines of the next communication on Energy 2020 for a competitive, sustainable and secure energy strategy, which EUROPE has managed to obtain, gives a first glimpse of the key, innovative points of this strategy.
In order to attain not only the EU's climate targets by 2020 - 20% CO2 emissions less, 20% energy savings and 20% renewables in the EU energy mix - and meet certain shortfalls in the European energy policy (such as fragmentation of the energy market where transparency, accessibility and choice are still badly placed, energy supply security is not assured as investment and technological progress lags behind, and the EU remains vulnerably dependent upon external supply), the Commission is proposing a joint strategy for the period 2010-2020. Member states' energy interdependence is requiring more European action. The time has come to truly 'Europeanise' energy policy. The EU must take “better charge of its energy destiny”, the Commission stresses, recommending rebalancing in favour of action with regard to demand, given the limited margins of manoeuvre with regards supply. The Commission places emphasis on renewables and clean technologies, and calls for the nuclear option to be assessed in a fully objective manner. Its strategy is based on five priority areas, where measures are to be taken within the next 18 months.
Energy efficiency. The action plan on energy efficiency will be presented in 2011 and will examine the question of funding and the role of structural funds. Also, the Commission hopes to clarify energy saving objectives and better exploit the potential of energy efficiency in building and transport. In the case of buildings, it wants to speed up renovation with investment incentives and innovative financial instruments. In the field of transport, it recommends support for green urban mobility and the introduction of efficiency standards for all vehicles. On the side of supply, the Commission wishes to enlarge requirements for high energy intensive products and is contemplating 2nd generation energy labelling. It also suggests that energy audits be applied to industrial companies, and that energy efficiency should become an essential element for the authorisation of generation capacities including maximum uptake of cogeneration, district heating and cooling. Suppliers will be called upon to promote energy savings from customers using dedicated instruments such as “white certificates” or equivalent, and accelerating the introduction of “smart meters”.
An integrated market. In order to enhance the integration and interconnection of energy markets, the Commission wishes to define an approach to give the ACER and the new networks of transmission system operators for electricity and gas (ENTSO-E and ENTSO-G) a mandate for developing the new super European electricity and gas grid by 2020. A set of tools, starting with a methodology, will be proposed next year to implement strategic infrastructure priorities, in particular those of “European interest”, thus allowing the latter to enjoy speedier authorisation procedure and maximum time at each stage, including the appointment of a national “one-stop shop” to ensure compliance with environmental and security requirements. A specific mandate will be given to ACER to ensure that all technical and regulatory issues linked to the crossborder interconnection of networks are defined and implemented by 2012.
Technological “shift”. For immediate implementation of the energy technologies plan (SET-Plan), adopted in 2009, the Commission will be at the helm. The European executive will also propose that three new, large-scale European projects be launched on smart grids, electricity storage, and biofuels.
Ensuring safe supply of energy. For greater consumer protection, the Commission proposes that reports be published assessing the implementation of regulatory provisions relating to consumers and the level of protection of the internal market. It believes efforts to improve the functioning of the retail market should be intensified, including through the Citizens' (London) Forum. The Commission also wants to continue work on improving security and safety, after the initiative for strengthening security of oil and gas supplies, or the legal framework for nuclear safety and security.
Strong international partnership. The Commission proposes establishing strategic partnerships with key supply and transit partners via framework agreements in energy, covering market access, the development of grids and grouped supply agreements, as well as regulatory aspects and the promotion of transparency, reciprocity and respect of international law. The European executive also hopes to promote the EU's global role for a future low carbon energy by integrating efficiency and clean energy technologies in bilateral cooperation activities, especially with the main consumer countries and emerging countries. Finally, the Commission suggests launching cooperation with Africa on sustainable energy initiatives and promoting binding security, safety and nuclear non-proliferation norms at world level. A communication on the external dimension will be presented in 2011. (E.H./transl.jl)