Energy Policy in the EU

Latest news on the energy policy of the European Union.

MEPs approves plans to restock gas reserves before winter — 23 June 2022, 23:47 CET

In response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the EU Parliament approved Thursday a proposal which sets a mandatory minimum level of gas in storage facilities at 80 per cent by 1 November.

Electric cars: Half of all chargers in EU concentrated in just two countries — 22 June 2022, 23:51 CET

New data analysis from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) shows that half of all charging points for electric cars in the European Union are concentrated in only two countries - the Netherlands (90,000 chargers) and Germany (60,000).

With an overwhelming majority, MEPs reject the greenwashing of gas and nuclear power in crucial Committee vote — 14 June 2022, 22:07 CET

MEPs in the Environment and Economic Affairs committees have rejected the classification of fossil gas and nuclear power as environmentally sustainable under the EU Taxonomy - the EU's "green" investment guidebook. With an absolute majority, MEPs passed a first crucial step by voting down a list that would give a 'green' label to fossil gas and nuclear power despite their nefarious environmental impacts.

MEPs reject plan to greenwash gas and nuclear power — 15 June 2022, 18:43 CET

The European Parliament's Joint Committee on Economic Affairs and Environment rejected Tuesday the classification of fossil gas and nuclear power as environmentally sustainable under the EU's Taxonomy.

Electric cars: cheaper, more sustainable, and long-lasting - new BEUC research finds — 02 June 2022, 23:27 CET

Electric cars are unlikely to require battery replacement and are overall the most environmentally sound option, new BEUC research finds. This follows a 2021 study which found that electric cars are already the most financially interesting option for many consumers - and will soon be for all drivers.

EU reaches deal on plans to restock gas reserves — 24 May 2022, 22:13 CET

EU Parliament and states reached agreement Thursday on a regulation to set mandatory minimum level of gas in storage facilities to ensure security of energy supply across the EU each winter.

REPowerEU plan: SMEs reject another change of targets — 18 May 2022, 22:58 CET

SMEunited warns against another change of renewables and energy efficiency targets, as proposed today in the REPowerEU plan. SMEs require investment stability and planning. We support further elements of the REPowerEU plan aimed at strengthening the EU's diversification of energy sources both with internal and external measures.

EU moves to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels — 19 May 2022, 22:16 CET

The EU presented its response to the global energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine Wednesday, with plans to save energy, produce clean energy, and diversify energy supplies.

REPowerEU Communication — 18 May 2022, 22:02 CET

The European Commission presented on 18 May the REPowerEU Plan, its response to the hardships and global energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

REPowerEU will help accelerate the energy transition but consumers still face practical barriers at the local level — 18 May 2022, 19:17 CET

Consumers will get welcome support to invest in renewables and energy efficiency measures as part of the European Commission's REPowerEU package released today. It is a step in the right direction, but consumers will still face some practical barriers.

REPowerEU: A good plan marred by a few really bad ideas — 18 May 2022, 19:15 CET

The European Commission’s REPowerEU plan published today aims to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

REPowerEU - retail and wholesale needs help but can play a major role — 18 May 2022, 19:12 CET

The European Commission today launched its detailed REPowerEU Plan, following up the outline ideas it presented in March.

Europe's efforts on battery production under EU scrutiny — 11 May 2022, 23:33 CET

The EU's auditors launched an audit Tuesday to look into the effectiveness of Commission efforts to develop a globally competitive and sustainable value chain for batteries in the European Union.

E-mobility: 14,000 public charging points should be installed weekly across EU, new analysis shows — 28 March 2022, 19:18 CET

Supported by new research, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) is calling on all EU member states to urgently step-up investments in infrastructure for electrically-chargeable cars, vans, trucks and buses.

Retail and wholesale seriously concerned at energy crisis and needs support — 24 March 2022, 22:27 CET

Retailers and wholesalers provide an essential service to consumers and business customers, and are significant users of energy in heating, refrigeration and logistics, all of which run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We ask policy makers to urgently classify the sector as high energy-consuming and thus allow companies struggling with spiralling energy prices to access state aid support:

Brussels looks to mitigate high energy prices — 23 March 2022, 22:54 CET

The EU Commission set out ideas Wednesday for collective European action to address the root causes of the problem in the gas market and ensure security of supply at reasonable prices for next winter.

EU options to mitigate high energy prices — 23 March 2022, 22:10 CET

The European Commission set out ideas on 23 March for collective European action to address the root causes of the problem in the gas market and ensure security of supply at reasonable prices for next winter and beyond.

Taxonomy: EU Commission doublespeak on gas — 10 March 2022, 23:11 CET

Less than 24 hours after publishing its plan to cut EU dependence on Russian gas, and as President Ursula von der Leyen called for the EU to 'get rid of its dependency on fossil fuels', the European Commission has kick-started the final stage in the possible approval of gas as a 'green' investment.

EU Parliament endorses more sustainable batteries — 12 March 2022, 17:06 CET

The EU Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a report Thursday to make batteries more sustainable, from the sourcing of materials and durable and reparable design to improved consumer information.

Energy and inflation - Europe needs to minimise damage to consumers — 10 March 2022, 18:42 CET

Speaking today EuroCommerce Director General Christel Delberghe welcomed the objectives of the proposed actions outlined in the Commission’s REPowerEU initiative to accelerate alternative energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian gas:

BEUC reaction to European Commission's energy crisis response — 08 March 2022, 22:53 CET

Today the European Commission announced a Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy. Please find below a reaction from BEUC (The European Consumer Organisation) Director General Monique Goyens:

Reaction to EC's Energy communication - EC fails to put a quick end to fossil fuels and to frontline precious funds — 08 March 2022, 22:58 CET

Although today's 'REPowerEU' plan announced by the European Commission is a step in the right direction, it is not enough to put a quick end to the EU's fossil fuel imports from Russia, nor to phasing out fossil fuels in general.

Europe can be independent from Russian fossil fuels by 2030, says EU — 08 March 2022, 19:18 CET

The European Commission outlined a plan Tuesday to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy — 08 March 2022, 18:55 CET

The European Commission proposed on 8 March 2022 an outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

MEPs look to strengthen new EU rules for batteries — 11 February 2022, 16:59 CET

MEPs in committee called Thursday for stronger sustainability, performance and labelling requirements for batteries, as well as more stringent targets for waste collection and recycling efficiency.