Brussels, 26/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - Against the backdrop of the Ukrainian crisis and tension with Russia, the energy strategy that the European Commission is due to present on Wednesday 28 May - ahead of the European Council in June - is based on short-, medium- and long-term measures to reduce the EU's dependence. EUROPE unveils the main elements, based on a communication of which it has obtained a copy.
The strategy is based firstly on immediate actions to increase the EU's capacity to overcome a major disruption in supply over the winter of 2014-2015. The Commission proposes debate with the member states before the summer on the practical means to perform a stress test of the EU's energy system in the light of risks to disruption next winter, and to develop safeguard mechanisms - such as increasing gas stocks, developing emergency infrastructure, and reducing energy demand over the very short term. The Commission also suggests coordinating risk assessments and national contingency plans at the European and regional levels, and pooling part of the existing energy security stocks at EU or international level into a virtual common capacity reserve.
The medium-term measures aim to: (1) strengthen emergency and solidarity mechanisms. The Commission proposes to review the existing mechanisms to ensure supply security and to strengthen them, if necessary, for oil, gas storage and nuclear (uranium) fuel. It also wants to propose new mechanisms and contingency coordination plans to supply energy to countries in case of need, with an immediate focus on countries on the EU's eastern border; (2) complete the internal market. The Commission proposes strengthened regional cooperation between the member states for which the interconnections, balancing arrangements, capacity mechanisms and market integration contribute to energy security. The member states should also complete the transposition of internal energy market legislation by the end of 2014 (notably as regards unbundling rules, reverse flows and access to gas storage facilities). In addition, the Commission wants to collaborate actively with the member states to ensure implementation of projects of common interest, and measures to meet the target of interconnections of at least 10% of their installed electricity by 2020 and a target of 15% by 2030.
In the longer term, the strategy is based on a series of measures aiming to: (1) moderate energy demand. As well as reviewing the energy efficiency directive this summer, and drawing the outline of a 2030 framework, the Commission wants to identify priority sectors in which to achieve gains in energy efficiency in the medium to long term - especially in the member states most vulnerable to supply disruption; (2) increase EU energy production. The member states should continue the deployment of renewable energy sources and exploit hydrocarbons - including non-conventional sources like shale gas - and clean coal, taking into account decarbonisation priorities; (3) diversify external supplies. The Commission proposes examining with the member states the means to increase transparency at the EU level on gas supply security - for example, by issuing periodic reports based on notifications of new important gas contracts. It also proposes assessing options for voluntary demand aggregation mechanisms that could increase the bargaining power of buyers. Support is also promised for the development of gas supply infrastructure with Norway, the Southern Gas Corridor and Mediterranean; (4) coordinate national policies and speak with a single voice in external energy policy. As far as this is concerned, the Commission will ensure the implementation of the measures identified in its communication on external energy policy of September 2011. The Commission proposes that the member states inform each other of important national energy policy decisions prior to their adoption. It also proposes that they inform the Commission at an early stage of negotiations on intergovernmental agreements having a potential impact on supply security. (EH)