On Wednesday 4 September, the European Commission gave the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) an overview of its energy policy and the general approach expected for the new term of office, which will include the introduction of a Clean Industrial Deal.
“We need to build on what has already been put in place”, said Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director General of DG ENER at the European Commission, citing the Net-Zero Industry Act, the Critical Raw Materials Act, the reform of the electricity market and the action plans on wind energy and grids.
She also called for the completion of a genuine Energy Union to strengthen energy cooperation within the EU.
Affordable energy prices. The Director General of DG ENER felt it was essential to focus efforts on “joint planning, early investment, greater clarity on infrastructure and interconnection” as part of the forthcoming agreement on the Clean Industrial Deal.
Responding to the concerns of several MEPs on the ITRE Committee about the competitiveness of European industry in the face of American and Chinese competitors, she reiterated that guaranteeing affordable energy prices will be a major focus during the European Commission’s new term of office.
She also reiterated the Commission’s position on domestic nuclear power generation as an “important part of the energy system” to contribute to security of supply and competitiveness.
Energy dependence on Russia. While the EU reached its target of filling 90% of its gas storage capacity in August (see EUROPE 13468/3), another source of concern for the European Commission is the security of energy supply to Ukraine, which has been the victim of repeated Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Anticipating MEPs’ questions on the EU’s continuing dependence on Russian fossil fuels, Ms Jørgensen stressed that progress had been made, particularly in the case of gas, by turning to suppliers considered reliable, such as Norway and the United States.
“We have gone from being more than 45% dependent on Russian gas to less than 15%, including for the LNG that still comes from Russia. But here again, we are talking about a very significant reduction and a small share of Russia in our fossil gas supplies”, she declared.
Monitoring the existing legislative framework. Ms Jørgensen also explained that the Commission was working closely with the Member States to implement the existing legislative framework, encouraging them in particular to submit their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) as soon as possible, the deadline for which was 30 June (see EUROPE 13464/5).
On this point, the Director General indicated that the Commission was in the process of finalising an assessment of the regulation on the governance of the Energy Union, which includes the introduction of the NECPs.
She also revealed that work had resumed on setting up an action plan for heat pumps.
The mission statement of the future Commissioner for Energy will set out these priorities in greater detail. At present, Jozef Síkela, the Czech Minister for Industry, is the preferred candidate to take over the Energy portfolio. The President of the Commission will present all the Commissioners-designate on 11 September, before the parliamentary hearings at the end of September. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)