Energy Policy in the EU

Latest news on the energy policy of the European Union.

Energy efficiency: trialogue deal can hinder small retailers, warns UEAPME — 21 June 2012, 11:43 CET

The agreement reached this week between the EU institutions at their "trialogue" meeting on the Energy Efficiency Directive is a step forward towards the 20% energy savings target, although it leaves too much room for manoeuvre to Member States, according to UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation.

Temporary free allocation of emission allowances for power plants beyond 2012 - guide — 24 May 2012, 11:05 CET

The European Commission has adopted a framework under which EU Member states may compensate some electro-intensive users, such as steel and aluminium producers, for part of the higher electricity costs expected to result from a change to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as from 2013. The rules ensure that national support measures are designed in a way that preserves the EU objective of decarbonising the European economy and maintains a level playing field among competitors in the internal market. The sectors deemed eligible for compensation include producers of aluminium, copper, fertilisers, steel, paper, cotton, chemicals and some plastics.

Germany planning several new fossil fuel plants — 30 April 2012, 11:49 CET

The German trade association for the energy and water industry, the BDEW, says that the country’s utilities and other investors intend to build or update 84 power plants over the next decade.

Europe ready for environmental and economic benefits of resource efficiency — 26 April 2012, 22:59 CET

European politicians laid foundations for a resource efficient Europe today, with wide political support shown for the need to measure Europe’s resource use. This is a crucial first step towards reducing Europe’s resource use, according to Friends of the Earth Europe, but the European Commission must follow suit in order for Europe to gain the benefits greater resource efficiency brings.

Industry and civil society unite in calling for 100% clean energy in Europe — 16 April 2012, 22:14 CET

The answer to today's energy and environmental challenges lies in the creation of a cutting-edge economy underpinned by an entirely clean and efficient energy system, said a broad coalition of engineering, energy and technology companies, alongside civil society organisations. A 100 percent renewables declaration was delivered today to Martin Lidegaard, Danish minister for energy and current holder of the EU presidency, at a European Wind Energy Association event in Copenhagen.

Energy efficiency - made in Denmark and exportable to the rest of the EU? — 16 April 2012, 22:09 CET

Denmark uses energy more efficiently than any other EU member-state. Successive governments have implemented ambitious and consistent policies on energy efficiency since the oil shocks of the 1970s. As a result, Denmark today only uses 60% of the energy per unit of GDP of the EU average.

Doing business in Germany: Environmental rules — 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET

The devolution of competences to the Länder means that the Federal Government is responsible for some aspects of environmental protection while the Länder handle others.

European Energy Regulators — 12 February 2012, 22:22 CET

The Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) is the voice of Europe's national regulators of electricity and gas at EU and international level. Through CEER, a non-for-profit association, the national regulators cooperate and exchange best practice. A key objective of the CEER is to facilitate the creation of a single, competitive, efficient and sustainable EU internal energy market that works in the public interest. CEER works closely with and supports the work of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). ACER, which has its seat in Ljubljana, is an EU Agency with its own staff and resources. CEER, based in Brussels, deals with many complementary (and not overlapping) issues to ACER's work such as international issues, smart grids, sustainability and customer issues.

Europe's Energy Portal — 12 February 2012, 22:20 CET

Europe's Energy Portal is a commercial organization, strongly rooted within the EU, but run independently from the European Commission. The Portal was founded in 2005 and has grown into a real online beacon, a trusted environment accessible to anyone with an interest in energy. In particular energy related to Europe and the member states of the European Union.

Commission climate paper - Europe can save billions in fuel costs — 30 January 2012, 15:53 CET

The European Commission today set out how Europe could increase its climate ambition, presenting a series of pathways to further reduce carbon emissions by 2020.

Commission's energy roadmap a missed opportunity — 30 December 2011, 19:29 CET

The European Commission's recently published its ‘Energy Roadmap 2050′ repeats the EU’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 to 95% (against 1990 levels) by 2050, but it does not propose a clear direction.

EU roadmap: clean energy future at no extra cost - Commission study reveals irrelevance of coal and nuclear despite skewed accounting — 15 December 2011, 17:54 CET

A roadmap published today by the European Commission exploring different energy pathways over the next 40 years has shown that an energy system based largely on renewables and efficiency will cost taxpayers no more than a system locking Europe into fossil fuels and nuclear energy, said Greenpeace. Renewables emerge as the dominant energy source, despite skewed calculations to keep nuclear energy and fossil fuels in the energy mix.

European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group — 13 June 2013, 17:26 CET

The European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) is an independent, authoritative expert body created in 2007 following a decision of the European Commission. It is composed of senior officials from the national nuclear safety, radioactive waste safety or radiation protection regulatory authorities and senior civil servants with competence in these fields from all 27 Member States in the European Union and representatives of the European Commission. ENSREG’s role is to help to establish the conditions for continuous improvement and to reach a common understanding in the areas of nuclear safety and radioactive waste management.

Nuclear stress tests - Commission Interim Report — 27 November 2011, 15:01 CET

Following the nuclear accident in Fukushima, the EU reacted swiftly and agreed on voluntary tests for all of its 143 nuclear power plants based on a set of common criteria. In its Communication published on 24 November, the Commission looks at first findings of these stress tests and points to some policy areas where the new EU nuclear safety framework can be strengthened through common standards.

EU warned: biofuels will drive biodiversity loss — 17 November 2011, 11:44 CET

Increasing the use of biofuels in Europe will have devastating impacts on wildlife a new scientific assessment has shown.

European Climate Foundation roadmap — 15 November 2011, 19:43 CET

The European Climate Foundation’s latest report, Power Perspectives 2030, is part of their project on Roadmap 2050, and aims to be a practical guide to a low-carbon Europe.

Connecting Europe Facility - CEF Digital — 12 October 2022, 23:29 CET

The digital part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) will support and catalyse both public and private investments in digital connectivity infrastructures between 2021 and 2027.

European auto makers pave way for uniform system of e-vehicle charging — 22 September 2011, 16:36 CET

The European automobile manufacturers have defined a comprehensive set of recommendations to standardise the charging of electrically-chargeable vehicles. The joint industry proposal will enable the use of one type of plug independent of car make, electricity provider or country.

Which is worse, gas or nuclear? — 19 September 2011, 22:39 CET

There are many good people working for Greenpeace who are genuinely and deeply convinced that nuclear power is not part of the solution. But they are wrong to suggest that gas is an adequate low-carbon bridge technology.

Securing the EU's energy interests abroad — 07 September 2011, 19:49 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Communication on security of energy supply and international cooperation, setting out for the first time a comprehensive strategy for the EU's external relations in energy. Improved coordination among EU Member States in identifying and implementing clear priorities in external energy policy is central to the approach outlined by the Commission. In today's ever-changing global energy markets, the EC says achieving EU energy security calls for adequate coordination at home and a strong and assertive position abroad.

Communication on security of energy supply and international cooperation - "The EU Energy Policy: Engaging with Partners beyond Our Borders — 07 September 2011, 19:41 CET

The Communication sets out for the first time a comprehensive strategy for the EU's external relations in energy. Improved coordination among EU Member States in identifying and implementing clear priorities in external energy policy is central to the approach outlined by the Commission.

Feeble EU Energy Efficiency Directive set to fail — 22 June 2011, 21:03 CET

A new draft European Directive on energy efficiency published by the European Commission today (Wednesday 22 June) is too timid even to deliver on the EU's own modest ambitions for energy savings, Friends of the Earth warned today.

New EC Energy Efficiency Directive - guide — 22 June 2011, 20:58 CET

The cheapest energy is the one we do not consume. The counting down has started to achieve Europe's 20% energy efficiency target for 2020. If nothing changes in the coming years, the EU will achieve only half of the target. This threatens our competitiveness, our fight to reduce CO2 emissions and our security of supply. This is still a high cost for every consumer's bill. A new set of measures for increased Energy Efficiency is proposed today by the European Commission to fill the gap and put back the EU on track. This proposal for this new directive brings forward measures to step up Member States efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain – from the transformation of energy and its distribution to its final consumption.

Prospects for nuclear power after Fukushima — 08 June 2011, 23:49 CET

The German government has said that all the German nuclear power stations must close by 2022. The Swiss government has said that no new ones will be built. The Italian government has put nuclear on hold. All these developments are bad news for the global climate, as nuclear closure or slowdown will result in the burning of more coal and gas. And the risk of uncontrolled climate change is greater than any of the risks associated with nuclear power.

Nuclear stress tests - guide — 25 May 2011, 22:20 CET

From 1 June 2011 onwards, all 143 nuclear power plants in the EU will be re-assessed using EU wide criteria. These are comprehensive tests as the Commission has called for which embrace both natural and man made hazards (i.e. effects of airplane crashes and terrorist attacks). The European Commission and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators' Group (ENSREG) agreed today on the criteria covered and the way controls will be done.