The energy ministers will meet on Tuesday 28 March for the first ‘Transport, Telecommunications and Energy’ Council under the Swedish Presidency. While the gas package is at the top of the agenda, other priority issues related to energy transition, the competitiveness of European industry and security of supply will be addressed.
Discussions will focus on electricity market reform, the extension of the coordinated gas demand reduction, the preparation of the gas filling and storage season, but also the agreement on the end of thermal engines (see other news).
Gas package
Member States will first try to reach a general approach on the gas package (a directive on common rules for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, and a regulation on internal markets) (see EUROPE 13147/9) in order to start negotiations with the European Parliament, which has already adopted its position (see EUROPE 13142/3). Presented in December 2021 by the Commission, this reform aims to decarbonise the EU gas market and promote hydrogen, with a view to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Negotiations between Member States’ representatives to the European Union (Coreper) have been marked in recent weeks by opposition between Member States over the proposed inclusion of low-carbon hydrogen and renewable fuels of non-biological origin in the legislative texts for the Gas Directive, but also the Renewable Energy Directive (see other news).
The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU has indicated its willingness to find a compromise between Member States. “I hope that we can reach a general approach on the gas market package and a political agreement on the EU Council Regulation on coordinated gas demand reduction measures. Both proposals are important for our independence from Russian gas”, says Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Industry, who is leading the negotiations.
Electricity market reform
In addition to the attempt of a general approach on the ‘gas’ package, the discussions will focus on the European Commission’s proposal for the reform of the electricity market, presented on 14 March (see EUROPE 13141/1).
Among the conclusions of the European Council of 23 and 24 March was this reform. The common will of the Member States is to reach a conclusion before the end of 2023 (see EUROPE 13146/36). The energy ministers will therefore hold their first public debate on this proposal.
Prolonging coordinated gas demand reduction
Following the Commission’s presentation on 20 March (see EUROPE 13145/15), the Council is expected to adopt a political agreement on the Commission’s proposal to prolong the EU Council Regulation on coordinated measures to reduce gas consumption in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Agreement on the end of CO2 emissions for new cars
On the eve of the Council, Monday 27 March, Member State ambassadors agreed to end the use of internal combustion engines in new cars from 2035, in exchange for exemptions for future synthetic fuels, as requested by Germany (see other news). The item will therefore be part of the discussions, as it has been formally “added to the TTE Council agenda for final adoption”, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council said on Twitter on Monday.
Winter Preparedness 2023/2024, nature restoration regulation and adapting the European electricity grid
In addition to the presentation of the above measures, the Commission will also inform the EU27 on the Winter Preparedness 2023/2024 (see EUROPE 13138/8).
In addition, Denmark will inform other Member States about the nature restoration regulation and Greece will stress the importance of investing more in European electricity grids to support the energy transition (see EUROPE 13149/6).
To see the ‘Energy’ Council agenda: https://aeur.eu/f/62i (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)