Brussels, 12/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On the sidelines of the plenary session on Tuesday 10 February, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group at the European Parliament informed European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic of its vision for the Energy Union. The S&D Group wants a forward-looking Energy Union, which is beneficial for citizens and industry, which fights energy poverty and which ensures a stable, affordable and sustainable supply.
For each of the eight key objectives that it recommends, the S&D Group proposes a series of actions to be implemented. To make the transition to a decarbonised economy, the group advocates reviewing the energy efficiency objectives upwards (40% compared with 27%), as well as the renewables objectives (45% compared with 27%), as part of the 2030 Energy/Climate framework. It also advocates making these objectives binding. In addition, the S&D Group recommends reviewing the energy efficiency and buildings performance directives.
To set up a smart European infrastructure network, the S&D Group advocates a new binding objective for electricity interconnections between member states, increased support for interconnections as part of the Connecting Europe Facility, and updating the list of priority infrastructure (PCI).
Placing citizens at the centre of the Energy Union project, the S&D Group advocates revision of the third energy package to strengthen consumer rights and transparency, and to ensure that lower wholesale prices mean all consumers automatically benefit from better tariffs. The European Commission is asked to work on a special communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan including a definition of energy poverty, and the development of national scoreboards on energy poverty.
Wanting a more level playing field, the S&D Group argues for structural reforms of the EU emissions trading system (ETS) to guarantee a sufficiently high carbon price to ensure new investments are in line with the long term energy and climate goals. In addition, the S&D Group wants the Commission to study the feasibility of a carbon border adjustment mechanism and emission standards or other ways of shielding European industry from unfair competition.
The S&D Group advocates a new investment strategy based on a European investment instrument to provide a capacity of €400 billion over six years, on which the energy infrastructure projects can depend. To ensure a strong industrial base and investment in R&D, the group advocates a review of the Horizon 2020 strategy which reflects the priorities of the Energy Union.
As regards the external dimension of the project, the S&D Group advocates revision of the information exchange mechanism on intergovernmental agreements between member states and third countries in the field of energy to strengthen its provisions and to enhance the role of the Commission. The S&D Group advocates giving the Commission new powers to plan and negotiate major strategic infrastructure projects, and the group supports the option of a voluntary mechanism for buying gas jointly.
Lastly, to increase the solidarity between the member states, the S&D Group advocates revision of the rules on security of gas supply so as to improve reserves and possibly establish common strategic reserves. It also calls on the Commission to make proposals for enhanced European mechanisms to better coordinate energy policy between member states.
“It is vital that we (…) lead the fight for a progressive Energy Union with a strong social element (…) We cannot allow the status quo and short-sightedness of the old vested interests to prevail. Now is the time to be bold”, says Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D, Belgium). (Emmanuel Hagry)