Ministers from the 27 EU Member States will meet in Luxembourg on Monday 27 June to discuss, among other things, the EU’s energy situation in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising energy prices, and the energy part of the legislative package aimed at putting the EU on a path to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (the ‘Fit for 55’ package).
‘Fit for 55’ package
In the morning, ministers will try to reach an agreement (‘general approach’) on the proposed revisions to the EU directives on energy efficiency (EED – 2018/2002) and renewable energy (RED II – 2018/2001), two initiatives that form part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package.
In terms of the revision of RED II, the text that was tabled by the French Presidency of the EU Council is quite stable, a source told us.
The EED Directive, on the other hand, continues to raise concerns among the Member States.
According to information from the media outlet Contexte, the proposal made by Paris to the delegations was to make the European Commission’s target for primary energy consumption indicative (maximum 1,023 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2030) in order to gain the support of enough Member States for its draft general approach. The final energy consumption target (maximum 787 Mtoe by 2030) would remain a mandatory target.
The ministers will then share views on two other legislative proposals in this package: the proposal for a regulation to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector (see EUROPE 12854/12) and a proposal to overhaul the EPBD – Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31).
EU energy situation
In the afternoon, the ministers will attend an in camera debate on the EU’s energy situation in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Regarding this, the French Presidency will invite them to present the level of preparation reached in their respective countries regarding the supply of fossil gas for the coming winter.
Gas storage, external relations and the Czech programme
Furthermore, ministers are expected to adopt, without debate, the agreement reached with the European Parliament on the proposed regulation on gas storage.
The text agreed by the co-legislators, and already approved by the Parliament (see EUROPE 12978/11), obliges Member States to ensure that underground gas storage facilities on their territory are filled to at least 80% of their capacity before the winter of 2022/2023 and to 90% before the following winter periods (see EUROPE 12956/1).
It also provides for intermediate filling targets. In this context, the French Presidency will take stock of the next steps in terms of storage.
The European Commission will also inform Ministers on recent developments in the EU’s external relations in the energy sector.
Finally, the Czech Republic will present the energy part of the work programme of its future rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)