Energy Guides

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Greater EU coordination of measures to improve the security of gas supplies - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 16 July 2009, 15:59 CET

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a regulation to receive better information on investment projects into energy infrastructure within the EU. This will establish greater transparency on the likely evolution of energy infrastructure in main energy sectors such as oil (including biofuels), electricity (including nuclear electricity) and gas, but also in related areas such as the transport and storage of carbon related to energy production. Transparency on planned and ongoing investment projects will help to assess whether there is a risk of infrastructure gaps over the coming years as a significant proportion of ageing capacities have to be renewed or new capacities have to be built in order to make the low carbon energy mix a reality.

EC infringement exercise concerning cross-border energy network access and regulated prices - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 25 June 2009, 17:36 CET

The Commission has launched new infringement proceedings against 25 EU Member States for not complying with the EU legislation on the internal market for electricity and gas, notably the Electricity Regulation (1228/2003), the Gas Regulation (1775/2005), the Electricity Directive (2003/54/EC) and the Gas Directive (2003/55/EC). If the Member States do not implement the internal energy market rules, the Commission says they prevent European consumers and the other market participants from benefiting from the advantages of a competitive and open energy market.

EC Communication on Demonstrating Carbon Capture and Geological Storage (CCS) in emerging developing countries - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 25 June 2009, 13:10 CET

Communication on Demonstrating Carbon Capture and Geological Storage (CCS) in emerging developing countries: financing the EU-China Near Zero Emissions Coal Plant project

The EU BUILD UP initiative - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 17 June 2009, 12:41 CET

The European Commission BUILD UP initiative supports EU Member States in implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Its new interactive web portal offers access to a wide range of information on best practices, technologies and legislation for energy reduction supplied by the users themselves. Building professionals, public authorities, umbrella organisations and home owners and tenants will have tailored access allowing the sharing of information across Europe.

Commission fine for Electrabel for implementing acquisition of Compagnie Nationale du Rhône without prior Commission approval - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 11 June 2009, 22:30 CET

The European Commission has decided to impose a fine of EUR 20 million on Electrabel, an electricity producer and retailer belonging to the Suez Group (now GDF Suez) for acquiring control of Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), another electricity producer, without having received prior approval under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission concluded that the infringement lasted for a significant period and that Electrabel should have been aware of its obligation to receive Commission approval before proceeding with the acquisition. The EU Merger Regulation requires concentrations of a European dimension to be notified to the Commission before their implementation so that the Commission can examine whether a concentration would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. This is known as the 'standstill obligation'.

European Parliament vote on the Third Internal Energy Market Legislative Package - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 22 April 2009, 22:35 CET

The European Parliament voted today to back new rules to strengthen the EU's internal energy market. The new legislation is expected to give consumers more protection and the benefit of the lowest possible energy prices while offering companies the chance to compete on a level playing field. In addition the legislative package will promote sustainability by stimulating energy efficiency.

New rules to strengthen the EU internal energy market - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 22 April 2009, 22:11 CET

The European Parliament today voted to back new rules to strengthen the European Union's internal energy market. The new legislation is expected to give consumers more protection and the benefit of the lowest possible energy prices while offering companies the chance to compete on a level playing field. In addition the legislative package will promote sustainability by stimulating energy efficiency.

EU regulations to progressively remove from the market non-efficient light bulbs - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 18 March 2009, 23:22 CET

The European Commission adopted today two ecodesign regulations to improve the energy efficiency of household lamps and of office, street and industrial lighting products. The two regulations lay down energy efficiency requirements which will save close to 80 TWh by 2020 (roughly the electricity consumption of Belgium, or of 23 million European households, or the equivalent of the yearly output of 20 power stations of 500 megawatts) and will lead to a reduction of about 32 million tons of CO2 emission per year. Inefficient incandescent light bulbs will be progressively replaced by improved alternatives starting in 2009 and finishing at the end of 2012. As a result of these regulations, 11 billion euros are expected to be saved and re-injected every year into the European economy.

Investing today for tomorrow's energy - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 28 January 2009, 17:08 CET

As a response to the financial crisis and as an attempt to reinforce the EU's energy supply, the Commission proposed in November 2008 a European Economic Recovery Plan that was endorsed by European Council in December. An important part of the plan is aimed at aiding economic recovery by granting Community financial assistance to projects in the field of energy. These projects will make a clear contribution to the objectives of security of energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A financial envelope of € 3.5 billion is foreseen in the following 3 areas: gas and electricity interconnection, the next generation of offshore wind technology and Carbon Capture and Storage.

Second Strategic Energy Review - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 13 November 2008, 14:41 CET

The European Commission proposed on 13 November a wide-ranging energy package which gives a new boost to energy security in Europe, supporting the 20-20-20 climate change proposals which should be agreed by December. The Commission puts forward a new strategy to build up energy solidarity among Member States and a new policy on energy networks to stimulate investment in more efficient, low-carbon energy networks. The Commission proposes a new EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan which sets out five areas where more action is needed to secure sustainable energy supplies. The Commission also looks at the challenges that Europe will face between 2020 and 2050. In addition, a package of energy efficiency proposals aims to make energy savings in key areas, such as reinforcing energy efficiency legislation on buildings and energy-using products, and enhancing the role of energy performance certificates as well as inspection reports for heating and air-conditioning systems.

Sustainable products and technologies - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 20 July 2008, 16:07 CET

Improving the environmental performance and in particular the energy efficiency of products and stimulating their market uptake are the core objectives of a package put forward by the European Commission on 16 July. It sets out a series of voluntary and obligatory actions to support a coherent and dynamic policy in the EU and internationally, helping to define eco-friendly products, informing the consumer through improved labelling and supporting their purchase through public procurement and fiscal incentives.

Reducing standby electric power consumption - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 09 July 2008, 17:25 CET

EU Member States have endorsed a European Commission proposal for a regulation reducing standby energy consumption of household and office products. The regulation lays down energy efficiency requirements for all products sold in Europe, with a view to cutting the EU's standby electricity consumption by almost 75% by 2020.

Memo on the Renewable Energy and Climate Change Package by EUbusiness — last modified 23 January 2008, 17:26 CET

This is the European Commission's first assessment of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAP) of EU Member States.

European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 22 November 2007, 19:23 CET

On 22 November, the European Commission presented the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan). Low carbon technologies will play a vital role in reaching our energy and climate change targets. The main goal of the SET-Plan is to accelerate the development and implementation of these technologies. This background note sets out the details of the SET Plan.

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative by EUbusiness — last modified 11 October 2007, 10:06 CET

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative. It will be a public private partnership with industry in the lead. The Commission will fund EUR 470 million from the EU's FP7research programme and at least a matching amount will come from private industry. This memo gives some detail about the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen proposal.

EU energy policy - questions & answers by EUbusiness — last modified 19 September 2007, 13:33 CET

The European Commission on 19 September adopted a third package of legislative proposals to ensure a real and effective choice of energy supplier and benefits to every single EU citizen. The Commission's proposals put consumer choice, fairer prices, cleaner energy and security of supply at the centre of its approach.

European Energy Consumers' Charter: Q&A on the opening of the EU energy markets by EUbusiness — last modified 05 July 2007, 14:23 CET

Four days after the full opening of the EU energy markets on 1 July 2007, the European Commission launched a process that will eventually lead to the adoption of an Energy Consumers Charter. Consumers’ rights in the energy sector will thus be compiled in a single document at EU level for the first time. The Charter will aim to inform EU citizens about their rights relating to electricity and gas.

EU excise duties on commercial diesel – Frequently Asked Questions by EUbusiness — last modified 13 March 2007, 19:37 CET

The new proposal is based on the fact that existing tax differentials on diesel used by trucks ("commercial gas oil") create distortions of competition within the liberalised Internal Market of the haulage sector. In addition, they lead to "fuel tourism", where truck drivers alter their routes in order to benefit from low tax rates applied in certain Member States, thereby having a negative impact on the environment. In consequence, the Commission’s proposal aims at narrowing these differentials while reducing environmental damages.

Energy Policy in the European Union by EUbusiness — last modified 24 August 2006, 17:30 CET

We take energy for granted. Fuel shortages and power cuts are rare but timely reminders that we rely on energy for transport, for heating our homes in winter, cooling them in summer and running our factories, farms and offices. But many energy resources are finite. In addition, energy use is often a source of pollution. Environmental sustainability and the need to maximise security of supply and remain internationally competitive as the price of scarce conventional fuels rises means using less fossil fuel, using it more intelligently and developing alternatives.