November 29, 2011EU energy ministers reiterated their opposition to binding energy savings targets at a meeting on 24 November, leaving a political agreement for the incoming Danish presidency in the first half of 2012. Poland, which currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, presented a progress report on the draft energy efficiency directive at a meeting of the Energy Council this month. The report included amendments pushed by member states requiring more “flexibility” in achieving the proposed targets. Most EU member states “are not convinced of the approach and request flexibility to design schemes best suited for their circumstances,” the Polish presidency said, after holding consultations with all national delegations. Member states were invited to present their positions but no extensive discussion was held at the meeting as views remain far apart. “If there will be a discussion, then it will be at a political level,” Polish presidency sources told EurActiv. Moves towards a political compromise are expected to start only as of 2012. “We expect the talks with the European Parliament to start during the Danish presidency,” a Polish presidency source said. The progress report centred around the three targets contained in the draft energy efficiency directive: A national obligation for energy [...]
