Brussels, 10/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The new common energy strategy for 2020, which was unveiled by Günther Oettinger on Wednesday 10 November, lays emphasis on energy efficiency, a strong external dimension, and the modernisation and reinforcement of the infrastructure of the EU. According to the energy commissioner, in order to meet the needs of the EU, €1,000 billions in investment is needed for the sector by 2020, for pipelines, storage capacity, thermal insulation and wind and solar technologies.
Presenting his strategy to the press, Oettinger did not mince his words. "Europe is not ready to meet the approaching challenges. The energy sector is not competitive enough, the technology is getting old, there is still not enough infrastructure", the Commissioner warned. In 2008, however, the EU set itself ambitious targets for the fight against climate change by 2020, more specifically a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions, a proportion of 20% of renewables out of primary energy consumption and energy savings of 20%.
The policy of the European Commission is based on five priorities, which will lead to the presentation by the services of Günther Oettinger of a number of legislative initiatives and proposals over the next 18 months. Furthermore, the proposed strategy and its suggested measures will feed into the first European summit on energy, to be held in Brussels on 4 February 2011. Work for this summit is already being prepared by the presidents of the European Council and the Commission, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso. For his own part, Oettinger is confident that his strategy is "a good basis for making the energy policy more European".
The number-one priority of his initiative is energy-saving. The European executive is proposing to base its initiative around the two sectors which offer the best energy savings potential: transport and construction. In order to help property owners and local authorities alike to fund energy-saving renovations and other measures, the Commission will propose, by mid-2011, investment incentives and innovative financial instruments. The public sector is called upon to set a good example, by taking account of energy efficiency in awarding public procurement contracts for work, services and products. Within the industry, the Commission hopes to lay emphasis on energy efficiency certification, to encourage businesses to invest in greener technology.
The integration of the market for liberalised energy and the reinforcement of infrastructure is the other great priority of a European executive which is determined that by 2015, no member state will remain isolated. The Commission is therefore recommending investment of €1,000 billion in the energy infrastructure of the EU between now and 2020. In order to speed up the main strategic projects of the EU, it is proposing to simplify and accelerate the procedure to issue building permits, setting the maximum time taken for final authorisation to be granted and EU funding. A one-stop shop should make it possible to coordinate all building permit requests required for such a project to be carried out, whilst making sure that all environmental and safety requirements are adhered to. A specific mandate will be conferred upon the Agency for the Cooperation of the Energy Regulators (ACER) to ensure that all technical and regulatory issues linked to the cross-border interconnection of the networks are defined and implemented by 2012.
The Commission also hopes to reinforce the external dimension of the common energy policy. In order for the EU27 to speak with one voice internationally on energy matters, as has been long spoken of but slow in coming to pass, the European executive has proposed that the EU coordinate its energy policy towards third countries, particularly its main partners. The Commission is therefore proposing that the EU establish strategic partnerships with the key supplier and transit countries, by means of framework agreements in energy, covering market access, the development of networks and grouped agreements for supply, as well as regulatory aspects promoting transparency and reciprocity. In the framework of the neighbourhood policy, it proposes to extend the Energy Community to include countries which wish to take part in the single market. The European executive also recommends intensifying cooperation with Africa, particularly by means of sustainable energy initiatives.
Additionally, the Commission stresses the need for a technological "change", to ensure the EU can be at the cutting edge of innovation in the field of energy. Four major projects will be launched in areas which are vital for the competitiveness of the EU: smart grids, energy storage, research into second-generation biofuels and the "smart cities" partnership to promote energy savings in urban areas.
Lastly, the new strategy of the European executive devotes a large chapter to consumers, proposing new measures on price comparison, changing supplier and the clarity and transparency of invoicing. (E.H./trans.fl)