The integration of the energy system in the European Union, i.e. the creation of closer links between the different energy carriers (electricity, gas, solid and liquid fuels...) and with the end-use sectors (buildings, transport, industry...), will be the main topic of the informal videoconference of the European Energy Ministers on Monday 14 December.
This issue will be addressed as part of a broader discussion among Ministers on Member States’ priorities for the next changes to EU energy legislation, including the revisions of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II - 2018/2001) and Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27 - EED). These two revisions, scheduled for June 2021, had already been the subject of written questions addressed to national delegations by the German Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE 12611/9).
Ministers will thus have the opportunity to discuss the ‘strategy for the integration of the energy system’ adopted by the European Commission at the beginning of July (see EUROPE 12523/2), as a starting point for a potential increase in the European energy objectives set for 2030, and to align them with the EU’s new 2030 climate objective (see other news).
Chaired by the German Minister of Economics and Energy, Peter Altmaier, the videoconference will also address recent developments in the field of external energy relations.
In addition, the Lithuanian delegation will present information on the commissioning of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant in Belarus and its consistency with the implementation of the nuclear safety recommendations (see EUROPE 12594/27).
Finally, the Portuguese delegation, which will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January 2021 for a period of 6 months, will present its work programme. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)