Energy Policy in the EU

Latest news about Energy Policy of the European Union.

The Energy Policy in the EU focuses on creating a competitive internal energy market offering quality service at low prices, on developing renewable energy sources, on reducing dependence on imported fuels, and on doing more with a lower consumption of energy.

FACT SHEETS

EU Energy Policy Strategies

• EU's Energy-related Strategies 2008-2009
• EU's Energy-related Strategies 2006-2007

Key Policies

• Energy Efficiency
• Renewable Energy
• Security of Supply
• Energy Infrastructure
• Future Energy Policy
• Future Energy

EU Energy Contacts

LATEST NEWS

Oil up sharply — 09 February 2010, 19:02 CET

Oil prices rallied Tuesday as traders took their cue from the falling dollar after recent sharp losses that came against a background of weak energy demand and eurozone debt concerns.

ENI awards 845 million euro contract to Hyundai in Norway — 08 February 2010, 12:57 CET

The Norwegian unit of Italian energy group ENI said Monday it had awarded a 6.9-billion-kroner (845-million-euro,1.16-billion-dollar) contract to Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea to build an oil installation in the Barents Sea.

EU approves TenneT buyout of E.ON's German power lines — 05 February 2010, 12:22 CET

The EU's competition watchdog on Friday approved Dutch energy group TenneT's takeover of German rival E.ON's extra high-voltage distribution network in Germany, saying the deal posed no anti-trust threat.

Crude oil prices tumble on euro debt, US jobs jitters — 04 February 2010, 22:02 CET

Oil prices slumped nearly four dollars Thursday following a surprise rise in US initial weekly jobless and an European debt crisis.

Italy's ENI to sell gas pipelines to assuage EU — 04 February 2010, 17:27 CET

Italian energy group ENI announced Thursday it will sell its interests in three international gas pipelines to bring to end an EU probe over suspicions of abuse of its dominant market position.

EU raids electrical equipment producers amid cartel fears — 04 February 2010, 11:43 CET

The EU competition watchdog says it has carried out raids on electrical equipment producers amid suspicions they have been running a cartel.

Bulgaria ratifies Nabucco pipeline deal — 04 February 2010, 00:36 CET

The Bulgarian parliament formally gave its blessing Wednesday to the European Union's flagship Nabucco gas pipeline, aimed at reducing Europe's reliance on Russian gas.

Estonia, Nordic power bourse, step up single market drive — 02 February 2010, 12:07 CET

Estonian grid company Elering on Tuesday signed a deal with Norway-based regional electricity bourse Nord Pool, in a bid to create a single Nordic and Baltic power market by 2013.

Hungary, Russia agree South Stream pipeline joint venture — 29 January 2010, 15:37 CET

Russia and Hungary signed on Friday an agreement setting up a joint venture to build the Hungarian section of the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline.

EBRD grants 67-million-euro loans to Bosnia — 27 January 2010, 17:47 CET

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Wednesday said it had approved two loans totalling 67 million euros (94 million dollars) to help strengthen Bosnia's financial and gas sectors.

EU launches probe into state aid for Greek metal firm — 27 January 2010, 12:42 CET

The European Union's competition watchdog on Wednesday launched an in-depth probe into preferential electricity tariffs afforded to the Aluminium of Greece company.

Russian pipeline awards one-billion euro contract — 22 January 2010, 18:37 CET

Russian-led consortium Nord Stream, which is planning to build a giant gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, has awarded a one-billion euro contract for steel piping, the group said on Friday.

Iran in billion-euro gas deal with Germany: company chief — 20 January 2010, 12:52 CET

Iran has signed a one-billion-euro (1.44-billion-dollar) deal with a German firm to build 100 gas turbo-compressors, an industry official said in newspapers on Wednesday.

EU - Iraq Strategic Energy Partnership Memorandum of Understanding - briefing — 18 January 2010, 16:00 CET

The European Union and the Republic of Iraq have signed in Baghdad, Iraq, a Memorandum of Understanding on a "Strategic Energy Partnership" which provides a political framework for reinforcing energy relations between Iraq and the EU. It also outlines priorities for future cooperation, taking into account the possible role of Iraq as a natural gas supplier for the Southern Corridor and that Iraq has the world's third largest proven petroleum reserves; Iraq could become an energy bridge between the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the EU.

EU, Iraq sign energy agreement — 18 January 2010, 15:55 CET

The European Union and Iraq signed an agreement Monday to strengthen their energy cooperation in areas such as natural gas, energy security and renewables.

EU must change energy priorities: Spain — 15 January 2010, 21:02 CET

The European Union must change its budget priorities to finance common objectives in the energy sector and diversify its sources of production and supply, the Spanish EU presidency said Friday.

Algerian oil firm chief in fraud probe: reports — 14 January 2010, 17:27 CET

The head of Algeria's national oil corporation Sonatrach has been suspended from his job and ordered to appear before investigators probing corruption, news reports said Thursday.

East Europe, Caspian states back EU 'Southern Corridor' energy plan — 14 January 2010, 17:01 CET

Eastern European and Caspian Sea states vowed Thursday to support the European Union's "Southern Corridor" plan aimed at reducing the bloc's dependence on Russian energy supplies.

Carbon tax wrong way to tackle climate: EU trade chief-to-be — 12 January 2010, 23:22 CET

Incoming European Union trade chief Karel De Gucht on Tuesday ruled out pursuing French-led calls to impose a carbon tax at the EU's borders, warning that such ideas risk triggering trade wars.

Ukraine pays off December gas bill: Gazprom — 07 January 2010, 12:42 CET

Ukraine has paid off its December gas bill, the Russian energy company Gazprom said Thursday, confirming a statement made by Ukraine's national energy company Naftogaz a day earlier.

Ukraine pays off December gas bill — 06 January 2010, 18:17 CET

Ukraine has paid off its December gas bill, the national energy company Naftogaz told AFP Wednesday, following concerns that it faced serious difficulties meeting a January 11 deadline.

Energy efficiency: energy performance of buildings — 06 January 2010, 00:35 CET

The Member States must apply minimum requirements as regards the energy performance of new and existing buildings, ensure the certification of their energy performance and require the regular inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings.

Three Britons charged in Belgian CO2 fraud probe — 04 January 2010, 20:22 CET

Belgian authorities have charged three Britons suspected of VAT fraud on CO2 emissions permits after funds held in Belgian banks were frozen, prosecutors said on Monday.

Lithuanian nuclear plant shuts down under EU deal — 01 January 2010, 13:58 CET

Lithuania Thursday shut down its Soviet-era nuclear plant under an EU deal in a move set to drive up electricity prices amid an economic crisis and leave it counting on ex-master Moscow for power.

Lithuania counts down to nuclear shutdown — 31 December 2009, 03:07 CET

Lithuania braced for the EU-ordered shutdown of a key nuclear plant on Thursday, a move set to push up electricity prices in a deep economic crisis and leave it counting on former master Moscow for power.