Chaired by the Finnish Minister of Economy Katri Kulmuni, EU energy ministers will discuss the contribution of the energy sector to climate action until 2030 and beyond at their meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, 24 September.
During the exchange of views on the Commission's communication on draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), ministers will be invited to discuss the progress they have made in closing the ambition gaps highlighted by the Commission in the 2030 targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy, but also to reflect on the EU Council's role in the governance process of the Energy Union (see EUROPE 12328/16).
According to the Commission's analysis, in the current draft plans, the share of renewable energies reached would be between 30.4% and 31.9% in 2030 at Union level, instead of the 32% forecast. With regard to energy efficiency, the gap is wider, ranging from 6.2 to 2.3 percentage points below the 32.5% target.
Member States have until the end of the year to submit their final NEPC. The exchange of views at EU Council level is part of an ongoing dialogue aimed at finalising the plans and enabling the EU to collectively achieve the objectives for 2030.
Climate neutrality. Also in the morning, the second debate will focus on how Member States are seeking to achieve climate neutrality and, more specifically, on the changes needed in the energy sector to achieve this goal.
Member States' energy ministers will be invited to share best practices in their respective countries and discuss measures to encourage and facilitate a transformation of the energy sector so that it contributes to the EU's transition towards climate neutrality. On 25 June 2019, ministers adopted conclusions on the future of energy systems for energy transition and the achievement of energy and climate objectives for 2030 and beyond (see EUROPE 12282/2).
At a working lunch, ministers will discuss innovative energy technologies that promote climate neutrality.
Several ‘other items’. The Austrian delegation will provide information on the hydrogen initiative.
The Luxembourg delegation will inform ministers of current progress in the modernisation and revision of the Energy Charter Treaty. The EU Council adopted negotiating directives for the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty on 15 July 2019.
The European Commission will inform ministers of the progress of trilateral negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, as well as with their respective gas companies, on a gas transit agreement for next winter (see other news).
Finally, the Lithuanian delegation will provide information on the Belarusian national action plan, which was developed following a peer review of the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant's 'stress test'. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur and Damien Genicot)