The EU's action on energy has changed significantly in recent months, but an EU energy policy is still needed. The changes increase the EU's clout in the world (if it acts as a united body), bringing economic, political and even military advantages (see my column in EUROPE 10562 and 10563). For the moment, national interests are taking pride of place over the common interest and rivalry is more significant than solidarity.
There have been two positive changes, however.
The energy efficiency venture. The energy efficiency project has raised a rumpus at the European Parliament, both in terms of the EP's report, which goes further than suggested by the Commission, and the way it is now seen as key legislation for the future of Europe. The draft report by Luxembourg MEP Claude Turmes (Greens/EFA) came under intense lobbying from a wide range of interest groups and leadings - the oil industry, other types of fuel, environmental groups, consumer associations and the like. Each pushed its own interests. The EP's energy committee took account of all this and tabled no fewer than 1,800 amendments to the report! The rapporteur would not let himself be put off, and also took account of good arguments and reasonable interests of the various member states, resulting in an 18 paragraph (article) compromise endorsed by the energy committee by 51 to 6 with 3 abstentions (see details in EUROPE 10563 and 10564).
Special procedure and heightened feelings. There will be an unusual procedure that will come into play. By a comfortable majority of 31 to 22, the EP's committee responsible for negotiating with the Council of Ministers (with the involvement of the Commission) will start negotiating before the EP votes on the matter in plenary (which will happen at a later date). Announcing this special, fast, procedure and the compromise, the rapporteur was absolutely delighted, explaining that the aim of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2020 is now compulsory (but with a degree of flexibility for some industries) which amounted to a huge potential boost for economic growth and employment, he said, and the possibility of recuperating some of the €400 billion a year currently paid to non-EU fuel suppliers. In terms of volume, the reduction in energy consumption will amount in 2020 to 365 million tonnes of oil-equivalent. Taking the entire Turmes Report into consideration (renovating public buildings, using heat produced during electricity generation and the like), this would amount to a new economic model.
The special procedure was only possible with the agreement of the Danish Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which sees energy efficiency as very important for its six months at the helm of the EU and wants the energy efficiency directive to be on the statute books by the end of June 2012.
A few weak points. General enthusiasm should not lead one to forget that there are weaknesses, the first being wind energy. In some member states, subsidies for wind energy are so high that they are being abused. It is extremely cheap and easy, but what if it is not windy enough? And what if other sources of energy are therefore required? What about wind farms that damage the landscape? These controversial areas need to be studied.
First step in dealing with non-EU countries. The second step forwards was the European Commission's attempt to introduce an EU aspect to relations with non-EU energy supplying countries. In September 2011, it suggested that member states should be required to make use of a compulsory information mechanism about their energy agreements with non-EU nations, to which the Commission would be able to require changes in order to ensure compatibility with EU law. The energy committee has not only backed this, but is calling for (a) a member state that fails to comply with the Commission's recommendations to be taken to court by the Commission using the infringement procedure; and (b) the European Commission to be an observer on new intergovernmental energy deals (see EUROPE 10564). Rapporteur Krisjanis Karins (EPP, Latvia) has agreed with the Council of Ministers on the same special negotiating system as for the energy efficiency directive (see above).
This brings us neatly to the subject of tomorrow's column - the lack of an EU energy policy. (FR/transl.fl)