MEPs want a clear commitment to the ‘energy efficiency first principle’ as part of the EU’s strategy for integrating the energy system. This is what the compromise amendments to the own-initiative report by Christophe Grudler (Renew Europe, France) on this strategy, seen by EUROPE, on Wednesday 3 March, indicate.
“The most sustainable energy is the energy that is not consumed. This is my number one priority and the proposed compromise on the own-initiative report is very clear on this point”, said Swedish MEP Jakop Dalunde, shadow rapporteur of the Greens/EFA group on this dossier.
Presented on 8 July last year by the European Commission, the strategy for the integration of the energy system emphasises in particular that the application of the energy efficiency first principle in sectoral policies must be “at the core of system integration” (see EUROPE 12523/2).
Nevertheless, certain compromise amendments to Mr Grudler’s report (see EUROPE 12601/9) on which the different political groups in the European Parliament have already agreed really strengthen the Commission’s text on this point by calling for concrete proposals to implement this principle, a source in Parliament explained to us.
The amendments in question thus call on the Commission to assess the possibility of applying the energy efficiency first principle in the context of new initiatives, particularly for the planning of energy scenarios and infrastructures and cost-benefit analyses.
They further request that “each infrastructure project should include an alternative scenario based on (energy) demand reduction and/or sector integration before being constructed”, while stressing the need for greater energy efficiency in the water treatment sector.
The role of gas continues to divide
Other compromise amendments, however, are still being negotiated between the political groups, in particular those relating to “low carbon” gas.
While the Greens/EFA and The Left would like to delete any mention in favour of gas, the EPP, ECR and ID groups would like the text to emphasise the role they believe gas can play in the energy transition more.
Furthermore, the passage of the text relating to CO2 capture, use and storage technologies (CCUS) would be another divisive issue, with The Left and Greens having serious reservations about the contribution of these technologies to the integration of the energy system.
According to our information, all the compromise amendments could be finalised on Friday 5 March, proof that the negotiations are going well.
They will then be put to a vote in the Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) (provisional date: 18 March), with a view of a vote in the Parliament plenary session in April.
Finally, it should be noted that the ITRE Committee is also working on another separate own-initiative report, but closely linked to Mr Grudler’s report, on hydrogen (see EUROPE 12601/8).
Written by Jens Geier (S&D, Germany), the report is currently under rather difficult negotiations between the political groups, leading to fears of a delay in relation to the timetable initially planned, according to several parliamentary sources. EUROPE will continue to follow this story. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)