The European energy ministers will attempt to reach an agreement (‘general approach’) on the ‘REPowerEU’ regulation on Monday 20 October at their sectoral Council meeting in Luxembourg.
Several diplomatic sources have said in recent days that they were “optimistic” that a qualified majority could be found in Luxembourg and that there was a desire to start inter-institutional negotiations with the European Parliament “as soon as possible”.
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) reached agreement on its position by a large majority on Thursday 16 October (see EUROPE 13732/6).
In the latest draft from the Danish Presidency of the EU Council, recitals have been added in an attempt to reassure certain Member States, such as France and Italy, about the authorisation process that customs authorities must undergo before importing LNG into the EU. Among other things, as part of a review clause, the European Commission will have to provide for an evaluation of the effectiveness of the mechanism.
The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU has also clarified the relationship between the draft ‘REPowerEU’ regulation and the proposed 19th package of sanctions against Russia (see EUROPE 13726/22).
Hungary and Slovakia remain firmly opposed to these two texts.
Electrification. At this EU Council meeting, a specific discussion will be devoted to “the role of electrification in making the EU competitive and achieving a successful energy transition”.
This discussion, which will be introduced by Oxford professor Jan Rosenow, aims in particular to provide guidance to the European Commission for its action plan on electrification, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 (see EUROPE 13731/14).
Ukraine and Moldova. The ministers will also hold a discussion in camera with the Ukrainian and Moldovan ministers on energy security and the resilience of the two countries ahead of the next winter season.
“It is an ongoing and important process to ensure that Ukraine is supplied with heat and electricity for the coming winter”, explained one diplomat.
“This also underpins the longer-term structural integration of Ukraine and Moldova into European energy markets”, he continued.
Pro-nuclear and pro-renewables meetings. As has become customary since 2023, the countries of the ‘Nuclear Alliance’ and the ‘Friends of Renewables’ will meet before the EU Council to discuss their energy priorities. The meeting of the ‘Nuclear Alliance’ will this time be chaired by Romania (see EUROPE 13660/5). The ‘Friends of Renewables’ group will be chaired by Spain and Ireland. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)