Brussels, 16/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The second European Council on energy on 22 May will be discussing high energy prices and their impact on the EU's competitiveness. This council is not going to attempt to avoid controversial subjects such as climate change mitigation and the use of shale gas.
The second European energy summit conclusions will confirm that the first energy summit conclusions of February 2011 “remain valid” but they will also highlight the need for further efforts to be made so that the embryo of a common energy policy helps to develop growth and job creation.
Although “good progress” has been achieved towards the completion of the internal energy market by 2014 and developing interconnections to break the energy isolation of certain member states, more substantial efforts will still be needed to implement EU legislation adopted to this effect. Similar implementation efforts in the context of other legislation such as the “renewables” directive and the regulation on gas supply security will also be required, as well as “more decisive” action for the rapid development of networks and smart counters, in addition to measures to cover the most basic needs of the most vulnerable consumers will also be called for.
In an effort to guarantee safe and affordable energy for their citizens, the EU27 will underline the need for significant investment in energy infrastructure. The priority will be given to implementation of the regulation on the TEN-T and adoption of a list of projects of common interest. The same goes for the adoption by the end of 2014 of directive on creating alternative fuel infrastructure and revising state aid so as to facilitate investment in energy and the environment, in addition to guidelines on the effectiveness of renewable energy support systems.
In the field of diversification, the EU27 will appeal for the development of local energy resources. The Commission will be in charge of assessing opportunities for more systematic use of local energy sources and ensuring that they are used in environmentally friendly ways. Although nonconventional hydrocarbons have not been explicitly mentioned, shale gas is one of these kinds of energies that will be examined.
The EU27 is eager to respond to the problem of high-energy prices and will highlight the need to further improve energy efficiency by implementing the directives adopted to this effect. Before the end of 2014, the Commission is expected to review the “eco-design” and energy labelling directives. It will also be expected to examine the issue of the relationship between gas and oil prices and present an analysis by the end of 2013 on how these energy prices and costs are construed and produced, with particular emphasis on households and energy intensive industries. (EH/trans.fl)