EU Policy News

EU Commission issues consultation on Energy Strategy 2011 -2020

April 30, 2010

The overall goal of European energy policy is to ensure that consumers and enterprises obtain safe, secure, sustainable and low-carbon energy at affordable and competitive prices. The challenges of global energy security and energy geopolitics, slow progress in combating climate change at the global level, the urge to recover on growth and jobs in the EU and the need to invest in tomorrow’s energy networks call for a new Energy Strategy to further deliver on those objectives. Completing the internal energy market, achieving energy savings and promoting low-carbon innovation are the main vectors to reach the objectives of competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply. An open global business climate and a more coherent and effective approach to the EU external energy relations will also help us to reach EU objectives. The new EU Directorate General Energy  has prepared a stock taking document with issues for consideration for further action. Submissions to this consultation are to be sent to ENER-ACTION-PLAN@ec.europa.eu by 2 July 2010. More info at the DG Energy website  

Will H2 distribution be included in Trans-European Transport Network planning?

April 27, 2010

The Commission’s Green Paper on the future development of the Trans-European Transport Network, published in February 2009, launched a review of the TEN-T policy. Based on the work of six expert groups dealing with specific issues of TEN-T planning and implementation, the Commission elaborated a proposal for a new methodology for TEN-T planning.

Working Group 3 on Intelligent Transport Systems and New Technologies suggested that alternative fuelling solutions (including related networks) by providing parallel options in order to maximise decarbonisation (CNG (compresse d natural gas), LNG (liquefied natural gas), LPG, hydrogen, fast charge, battery exchange stations etc.) should be included in TEN-T road projects as a condition for eligibility.

Spanish presidency presses EU for fast support of electric vehicles

April 16, 2010

At a seminar at the EU Parliament on April 15, organised by Spanish MEP Teresa Riera Madurell, the Spanish Secretary General for Industry, Teresa Santero, presented her government’s strong support for the development of the electric car.  Although indicating that hydrogen technology will be supported in the future,  the need for fast action on the market development of clean vehicles will require immediate  financial and regulatory support at all levels of the first commercial battery vehicles according to Ms. Santero. The EU Commission representative Philippe Jean, Director of the Automotive Unit of the Directorate for Enterprise and Industry, replied that indeed electric vehicles will come, both battery eletric cars as well as  fuel cell vehicles, and that it will be important to identify how and when this will happen. Mr. Jean mentioned that the EU is  facilitating standardisation and supports the development of electricity storage technology.  He also indicated that Commissioner Tajani will inform the EU Parliament about the new  strategy already the end of April and the EU Competiitiveness Council of May 25 will discuss the strategy. A representative of the European Transmission System operators ENTSOE  pointed to the need for controlled recharging of battery vehicles and the investments required to reinforce the grid to allow large numbers to [...]

EU Commission will present Energy Action Plan this May.

April 7, 2010

The EU Commission  announced its plan to present the EU Energy Action Plan for 2010- 2014 this May as a follow-up to the 2007-2009 the approved  common European 20-20-20 energy policy and energy market policy in 2007 that resulted in the adoption of the energy and climate package. The Spanish EU presidency has presented a report on the priorities for the Action Plan taking the EU’s Second Strategic Energy Review as the basis.  While the 2007-2009 plan concentrated on sustainability and the internal market, the new roadmap would focus on security of supply issues and technology development, including a revision of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The new energy Commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, said he would present proposals at the beginning of next year.