Energy Policy in the EU

Latest news on the energy policy of the European Union.

EP Industry Committee's ETS vote to benefit Europe's biggest polluters — 13 October 2016, 13:33 CET

With their vote today on the reform of the EU ETS for the period 2021-2030, the members of the the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee voted for measures that will benefit Europe's biggest polluters, thereby failing to support Europe's innovative clean tech sector.

Shortening the deadline for label replacement is completely irresponsible — 29 September 2016, 21:10 CET

In a joint letter to the Slovak Presidency of the Council, regarding the revision of the Energy Efficiency Labelling Regulation, UEAPME, EuroCommerce and Independent Retail Europe spoke up against the Ministers for Energy’s decision to shorten of the timeframe for label replacement.

Brussels OKs Polish energy production scheme — 28 September 2016, 20:40 CET

A Polish scheme to support high-efficiency co-generators of heat and power complies with EU state aid rules, the EU Commission found Wednesday, since it furthers efficient energy production.

Half of EU citizens could produce renewable electricity - joint NGO study — 23 September 2016, 11:56 CET

Over half of citizens in the European Union could be generating their own renewable electricity by 2050, according to new research released today.

Nuclear decommissioning costs mount for eastern states — 23 September 2016, 12:04 CET

The cost of decommissioning Soviet-designed nuclear reactors in Lithuania, Bulgaria and Slovakia will be at least EUR 5.7 billion, and could be double that, according to the European Court of Auditors.

Decommissioning of nuclear facilities — 20 September 2016, 15:32 CET

The decommissioning of a nuclear installation such as a power plant or research reactor is the final step in its life cycle. It involves all activities from shut-down and removal of nuclear material to the environmental restoration of the site. The whole process can extend over a period of up to 30 years. By 2025, it is estimated that over a third of the EU's currently operational reactors will be at the end of their life cycle and in need of shut-down.

£82m EIB backing for Humber Gateway offshore transmission link — 08 September 2016, 00:23 CET

The EU's investment bank is to provide GBP 82 million for the purchase, operation and maintenance of a new electricity transmission connection between the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm and the UK's national electricity network.

Baltic energy sector boosted by EUR 263m EU investment — 18 July 2016, 12:35 CET

The European Union is to invest EUR 263 million in key European energy infrastructure projects, of which the lion's share will support the building of gas infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.

MEPs call for more ambitious A-G scale for energy labels — 07 July 2016, 12:24 CET

The EU Parliament voted Wednesday for a simpler and more stringent A to G scale for energy labels showing the energy efficiency of household appliances to keep pace with technological progress.

EU Environment Ministers recognize need for a bold reform of the EU carbon market — 21 June 2016, 00:30 CET

Key EU Environment Ministers discussing the reform of the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) after 2020 today acknowledged that the Paris Agreement created new conditions for this process, and called for ensuring that a review of the level of ambition in the ETS takes place in the near future.

Investment Plan for Europe and Energy — 16 June 2016, 23:19 CET

One year after the launch of the Investment plan for Europe and the Energy Union, a number of sustainable, low-carbon projects around Europe are beginning to bring about real change on the road to Energy Union.

MEPs amend new EU energy labelling rules — 15 June 2016, 23:23 CET

A simpler, clearer A to G scale for labelling the energy efficiency of household appliances should replace the current proliferation of pluses within 5 years, Energy MEPs said on Tuesday.

Public funding for energy efficiency picking up — 09 June 2016, 21:00 CET

New research by Ecofys reports that the total public funding for energy efficiency in the EU grew from about €6 billion in 2012 - when the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) was approved, to about EUR 7.1 billion in 2014. This trend, which can also be observed in Central and Eastern Europe, is encouraging, but a lot still needs to be done to break down barriers to energy efficiency investments.

EU antitrust regulators raid Romanian gas companies — 09 June 2016, 00:39 CET

The Commission confirms its officials carried out unannounced inspections on 6 June at the premises of several companies active in the supply and transport of natural gas in Romania.

Third-country energy deals to be more transparent — 10 June 2016, 12:04 CET

Energy ministers agreed at their meeting on Tuesday to ensure that inter-governmental energy agreements between Member States and non-EU countries are more transparent and comply with EU law.

North Seas countries to cooperate on wind energy — 07 June 2016, 16:46 CET

Nine countries from the North Seas region agreed Monday to strengthen cooperation on energy, with a view to exploiting in particular the potential of the North Sea as an area for wind farms.

Poland taken to EU Court of Justice over biofuel restrictions — 26 May 2016, 19:23 CET

Poland is being referred to the Court of Justice of the EU for establishing restrictions in Polish law against certain imported biofuels and raw materials for biofuel, the Commission said Thursday.

MEPs demand halt to Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline — 11 May 2016, 14:45 CET

Nord Stream 2, the Russia to Europe gas pipeline project, came under attack from the European Parliament Tuesday, with many MEPs demanding a halt to the project altogether.

German 2012 energy law involved state aid: EU Court — 10 May 2016, 16:44 CET

The European Court of Justice's General Court confirmed Tuesday that a 2012 German law on renewable energy involved State aid, dismissing Germany's action against the Commission.

EU CO2 emissions from energy use edge up in 2015 — 04 May 2016, 01:06 CET

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by 0.7% in the European Union in 2015 compared with the previous year, according to figures from Eurostat, the EU's statistical office.

Flawed Commission analysis backs new subsidies for obsolete power plants — 14 April 2016, 18:44 CET

The European Commission today published preliminary findings of its inquiry into public funding schemes for power plants, known as "capacity mechanisms". The seriously flawed analysis backs these subsidies, which use taxpayers’ money to keep uneconomical power plants active.

Capacity mechanisms show 'significant shortcomings' in efforts to secure energy supplies — 13 April 2016, 23:31 CET

Capacity mechanisms have a role in increasing security of electricity supply but many EU Member States must be more thorough assessing need and design to ensure they are targeted and cost-effective.

Commission is blind to renewables' potential, keeps Europe stuck on gas — 18 February 2016, 22:31 CET

The Commission published on 16 February a gas package proposal which fails to recognise that renewables and energy efficiency can secure Europe’s energy supply. It defies the commitments taken under the Paris climate agreement last December.

Commission's Heating & Cooling Strategy needs to do more on buildings — 18 February 2016, 19:43 CET

The European Commission unveiled on 16 February the much-awaited Heating & Cooling Strategy in the framework of the Sustainable Energy Security Package. EuroACE welcomes DG ENER’s efforts to gather more data in order to give a comprehensive picture of heating and cooling in the EU, as it represents around 70% of energy consumption in buildings. But EuroACE calls for more concrete action in the buildings sector.

Eurogas on EU energy package: Sound on security of supply but missing opportunities in heating — 17 February 2016, 17:49 CET

Speaking today on the publication of the European Commission's energy package, Beate Raabe, Secretary General of Eurogas, expressed her support in large part for the market-driven emphasis and overall approach to security of supply in the package but questioned the Commission’s selective approach and disregard for the large benefits linked to gas in heating.