Brussels, 22/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The formal meeting of the Energy Council, to be chaired by the Polish Presidency on 24 November, will indeed be a full one. External aspects of energy policy, safety of offshore oil and gas activities, and energy efficiency will be subjects that ministers will be discussing.
Energy efficiency. Under the leadership of their Polish counterpart, Waldemar Pawlak, European energy ministers will take note of a progress report on a draft directive on energy efficiency, put on the table last June by the Commission (EUROPE 10403). This report is based on the 20% target for 2020 and improving this target beyond. The proposal aims to meet specific efficiency targets in both using and supplying energy and energy services. The Energy Council adopted conclusions in June, on the basis of a revised action plan on energy efficiency, presented by the European Commission in March (EUROPE 10331).
Infrastructure. The Council will hold a first exchange of views on the draft regulation on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure, presented in the middle of last October by the Commission (EUROPE 10477). The ministerial debate will focus on the methodology proposed for identifying projects of common interest and the measures on granting permits, public participation in these undertakings and regulatory questions. This proposal focuses on 12 strategic trans-European energy corridors and it aims to reform policy on the TEN-T and the financial framework for adapting this to current energy sector challenges. The regulation was accompanied by a proposal to facilitate funding to help interconnect Europe. This will consist of a single €40 billion fund, €9.1 billion of which will be allocated to energy infrastructures.
Safety of offshore oil and gas activities. The Commission will present ministers with a draft regulation on the safety of oil and gas activities, drilling, exploration and production at sea (EUROPE 10484). The proposal is based on four specific objectives: - to ensure coherency in the use of best practice for inspecting major risks in EU waters; - to implement regulatory best practice in all European jurisdictions involved in this field; - to strengthen the EU's preparation and its capacity to respond to emergencies; - to improve and clarify the EU's responsibilities and current compensation provisions.
External dimension. The Council will adopt conclusions on enhancing the EU's external energy policy dimension on the basis of the document submitted by the European Commission last September (EUROPE 10447). This is mainly based on the principle of the Commission's approval of future contracts signed between member states and third country energy suppliers. The Council conclusions are expected to call for enhancing coordination on the external dimension of the EU's energy policy and cooperation with third countries, including the deepening of energy partnerships and support for developing economies. The Commission is expected to present a progress report on implementation of these conclusions in 2013 at the latest.
European Council follow-up. Energy ministers will take note of a progress report developed by the Polish Presidency on the follow-up of orientations decided on during the European Council on energy last February (EUROPE10309). The report describes the initiatives taken in response to the conclusions adopted by European leaders on 4 February, and then by their respective ministers on 28 February (EUROPE10325). It also focuses on five political areas for which deadlines and priorities have been set out, particularly for energy efficiency, the internal energy market, infrastructures, external energy relations and nuclear power.
Internal market. Coordination of national policies for ensuring appropriate internal market operations will be the theme of the discussion planned for the ministerial lunch.
International relations. The Presidency and the Commission will inform ministers of developments in energy relations with third countries. The agenda also includes the EU-OPEC ministerial meeting, the Energy Community ministerial meeting, the Southern gas corridor, the EU-US Energy Council, the Permanent EU-Russia Partnership Council, the Energy Charter and the IEA ministerial meeting.
Miscellaneous. Cyprus will inform the Council of developments with regard to explorations in its exclusive economic zone and its response to the state of emergency in the electricity field, following the accident last July near the Vassilikos electricity plant. Greece will inform the Council of the study into its energy policy made by the IEA, Italy and the competitiveness of its refinery industry.
Mediterranean solar plan. Representatives from the Desertec solar farm initiatives in North Africa and the Medgrid under-the-sea high voltage network will sign a memorandum of understanding, on the sidelines of the Council, which will effectively put their future terms of cooperation onto paper. (EH/transl.fl)