Brussels, 20/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission jointly organised a high level conference in Rome on Wednesday 19 November on energy in the Mediterranean, a crucial issue against the current background of an increased threat of disruption of the EU's supply, in the view of Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who attended the conference.
The theme of the conference was building a Euro-Mediterranean energy bridge: the strategic importance of Euromed gas and electricity networks in the context of energy security. For Sefcovic “relations between the EU and the southern Mediterranean countries is largely built on mutually advantageous trade in fossil fuels (oil)”. North Africa is the EU's third largest supplier of natural gas, after Russia and Norway, the commissioner noted. Algeria, Libya and Egypt provide 15% of the EU's total gas imports. These countries “play an important role in the security of gas supply in Europe” and their contribution “will increase in future”. Europe, then, can only be pleased at the announcement of further potential in the region, both in terms of new gas discoveries, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean, and in exploitation of shale gas.
“For this, producers, exporters and gas consumers in the Mediterranean must cooperate closely”, Sefcovic stated. “The Commission is happy to facilitate this cooperation” and is pleased with the “in-depth discussion on how to increase the cooperation” already operating among the various sectors involved in the transport and distribution of gas in Europe and which is helping to “transform the Mediterranean into a (gas supply) hub” - and more. “While hydrocarbons will remain a key element of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, we must not overlook the huge potential of renewable energy in the region”, he added. The controlled use of fresh energy generation (wind and solar) has been spoken of as sources of supply for Europe, despite the failures of projects already announced.
Sefcovic suggested that “an integrated regional electricity market offers advantages in terms of more secure, more stable and more affordable supply”. “The Commission supported and will continue to support the creation of a Mediterranean regional electricity market”, he underlined. The Commission has pledged to work with all partners in the region and, in particular, with the Association of Mediterranean Energy Regulators (MEDREG) and the transmission systems operators (MEDTSO).
MEDREG and MEDTSO jointly signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commission, represented by Dominique Ristori, director general at DG Energy, committing them to work together to build the energy bridge on either side of the Mediterranean. The signatories pledge to put in place “a process of structured cooperation” and to create synergies in developing transport and distribution networks, by means, for example, of “transparent and non-discriminatory rules” on access to these promising resources. It has been promised that a “joint platform” will be set up to increase cooperation. (FB)