The European Union’s energy policy 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.
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Towards a low carbon future a European strategic Technology Action Plan
November 2007
In order to reach the EUs energy and climate change policy objectives, the Union needs to develop cost-effective low-carbon technologies, lower the cost of clean energy and put EU industry at the forefront of the rapidly growing green technology sector. This comprehensive plan proposed by the European Commission aims to establish a new energy research agenda for Europe, which is to be accompanied by better use of and increases in resources, both financial and human, to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies of the future.
Summary of legislation: Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan)
Energising Europe a real market with secure supply
Third legislative Energy & Gas package
September 2007
The third package of measures adopted by the European Commission will ensure that all European citizens can take advantage of the numerous benefits provided by a truly competitive energy market.
Consumer choice, fairer prices, cleaner energy and security of supply are at the centre of the third legislative package, adopted by the Commission on 19 September 2007. In order to reach those goals, the Commission proposes:
- to separate production and supply from transmission networks to facilitate cross-border trade in energy more effective national regulators
- to promote cross-border collaboration and investment
- greater market transparency on network operation and supply
- increased solidarity among the EU countries
In this third package of legislative proposals for Europes electricity and gas markets, the Commission proposed measures which aim to benefit every single EU citizen by given consumers greater choice, fairer prices, cleaner energy and security of supply.
Energy policy for Europe
January 2007
Proposed by the European Commission, this new energy policy for Europe aims, through a comprehensive package of measures, to achieve a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy, as well as to create a true internal market for energy and to strengthen effective regulation.
Green paper – A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy
March 2006
Europe is entering a new energy landscape. Our import dependency is 50% today, and certain to rise. Our hydrocarbon reserves are running down. Energy is becoming more expensive. Our infrastructure needs improving; EUR 1000 billion is needed over the next 20 years to meet expected energy demand and replace ageing infrastructure. And global warming has already made the world 0.6°C hotter.
These challenges are common to all of Europe. They require a European response. At the end of 2005, European Heads of State and Government reunited at Hampton Court (United Kingdom) call for a true European Energy Policy.
That is why the European Commission published on 8 March 2006 a Green Paper on developing a common, coherent European Energy Policy. If the EU can take a common approach on energy, and articulate it with a common voice, Europe can lead the global energy debate. The Green Paper will help the European Union lay the foundations for secure, competitive and sustainable energy.
Summaries of legislation: Green Paper “A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy”
Source: European Commission
