The association of energy-intensive industries of central Europe, CEEP, calls in recommendations published on Friday 28 October, ahead of the European Commission’s unveiling of its new winter package, for the granting of 100% of free CO² emissions quotas until 2030 for high energy-intensive industries such as chemicals, fertilisers, refineries and steel, as well as a 100% derogation for power stations using new technology with energy efficiency of 43% for lignite power stations and 45% for coal power stations.
CEEP calls for a tighter control of modernisation funds by the member states that receive them, and for the right to grant subsidies to indigenous fossil fuels to the degree decided upon for each member state.
CEEP says that security of electricity supply should take account of the various energy mixes across the EU and calls for an in-depth analysis of the new 15% interconnection target for 2030, given the danger that it would negatively impact on electricity markets in central Europe, which have limited capacity to adjust to fluctuations in intensity.
The association says that alongside implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, the EU should strive to ensure affordable energy prices for the industry to be competitive, and encourage the necessary economic growth in Central Europe in order to reduce the gap with Western Europe.
Participants agreed also that further development, with the Commission’s support, of gas infrastructure in Central Europe, mainly the North-South corridor, would facilitate creation of integrated market of energy in the region, commenting: "It has already helped the price difference for gas paid by the Central European countries to drop significantly, but still remains higher than for Western countries". (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)