Brussels, 16/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - To achieve the target of decarbonisation of the EU by 2015 and support the cross-cutting strategy for the proposed energy union launched at the start of 2015, the Luxembourg Presidency is looking to put in place a robust system of governance on energy and climate, with regional cooperation at its heart, Luxembourg Economy Minister Etienne Schneider told the European Parliament's industry committee on Thursday 16 July.
The transition to a low-carbon economy by means of a focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, security of supply and completion of the internal market will lie at the heart of the Luxembourg Presidency's work programme for energy in the second half of this year.
“EU energy policy is at a turning point in its history”: despite efforts to open markets, make supply secure, roll out renewable energy and reduce consumption, the progress made is not sufficient to make the EU more resilient with regard to suppliers nor to make possible sustainable energy transition, sufficient deployment of new technologies and job creation in the emerging sectors, Schneider noted.
The European Council has called for an energy union to be set up “the launch of which has raised high expectations among citizens and in the energy sector. It's our responsibility to meet these expectations”, he said. The Luxembourg Presidency will give priority to putting in place energy and climate governance during its period in office and Schneider is hopeful that the Council will adopt conclusions on governance at the meeting of European energy ministers on 26 November.
The Luxembourg Presidency will also lay emphasis on innovation, research and new technologies for energy transition, mainly in the sectors of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and integrated resource management. It will organise a conference in September on the plan for the development of energy technologies, the SET-plan.
Schneider also promises to work for the speedy adoption of the proposal for the revision of the energy labelling system, tabled by the Commission on 15 July as part of its “summer package”. His aim is for a joint position to be agreed at the Energy Council of 26 November.
The Presidency will also address the issue of financing the sustainable energy transition in terms of setting up the European fund for strategic investment (EFSI) and will seek to better coordinate existing EU financial instruments. “We will try to clarify implementation of the Juncker investment plan and its effects on energy policy”, said Schneider, promising a discussion on this issue at the informal Energy Council on 26 September.
The Luxembourg Presidency will strive to complete the internal market, through emphasis on the regional dimension. “Luxembourg has set the example with the pentalateral forum”, Schneider stated (our translation throughout). The Presidency will also take forward discussion on the other two proposals contained in the summer package: the redesign of the electricity market and proposals on the reform of the retail market.
Legislative work will also be undertaken in the area of security of gas supply, with Commission proposals expected this autumn.
Internationally, the Luxembourg Presidency intends to take stock of the southern gas corridor project, Ukraine, relations with North America, the Mediterranean partnership and the creation of a gas hub, and the Energy Community, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
The Luxembourg Presidency will also broach the issue of synergies between the energy and development cooperation sectors. (Emmanuel Hagry)