EU ministers responsible for energy policies will meet on Wednesday 19 December in Brussels to discuss the ongoing negotiations on the clean energy package.
The European Commission will present its Communication on a ‘A European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy', which was adopted on 28 November. This presentation will be followed by a first exchange of views between ministers on this communication (see EUROPE 12148). Energy now accounts for more than 75% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission therefore foresees a central role for the energy sector in the transition to carbon neutrality.
Clean Energy Package. The Austrian Presidency will inform the Council on the state of play of the legislative process on the seven dossiers of the clean energy package that have not yet entered into force. The Council formally adopted three legislative acts - the Regulation on the governance of the Energy Union, the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive. Compromises were found on the 'risk preparedness' (see EUROPE 12153) and 'ACER' (see EUROPE 12158) dossiers. The next trilogue on the 'electricity framework' takes place on Tuesday 18 December (see EUROPE 12154).
CEF. The issue of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) will be discussed. The Council adopted a partial general approach on 3 December.
The Presidency will inform ministers on the progress of the revision of the 2009 Gas Directive. The proposal dates from November 2017, and the Council has not adopted its position.
Ministers will also discuss the hydrogen initiative.
The Commission will provide information on ocean energy and external energy relations.
The election of the next Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is on the agenda, as well as the priorities of the incoming Romanian Presidency of the Council.
Over an informal lunch, ministers will discuss energy security in the age of decarbonisation and the external dimension of energy policy. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)