Energy policy of the European Union

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Although the European Union has legislated in the area of energy policy for many years, the concept of introducing a mandatory and comprehensive European Union energy policy was only approved at the meeting of the informal European Council on 27 October 2005 at Hampton Court. The EU Treaty of Lisbon of 2007 legally includes solidarity in matters of energy supply and changes to the energy policy within the EU. Prior to the Treaty of Lisbon, EU energy legislation has been based on the EU authority in the area of the common market and environment. However, in practice many policy competencies in relation to energy remain at national member state level, and progress in policy at European level requires voluntary cooperation by members states.^[1]

In 2007, the EU was importing 82% of its oil and 57% of its gas, which then made it the world's leading importer of these fuels.^[2] Only 3% of the uranium used in European nuclear reactors was mined in Europe. Russia, Canada, Australia, Niger and Kazakhstan were the five largest suppliers of nuclear materials to the EU, supplying more than 75% of the total needs in 2009.^[3] In 2015, the EU imports 53% of the energy it consumes.^[4] In January 2014, the EU agreed to a 40% emissions reduction by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and a 27% renewable energy target. The target is the most ambitious of any region in the world, and is expected to provide 70,000 full-time jobs and cut €33bn in fossil fuel imports.^[5]

In 2015, the Framework Strategy for Energy Union is launched as one of the European Commission's 10 Priorities.^[6]

Energy Union

The Energy Union Strategy is a project^[7][8] of the European Commission to coordinate the transformation of European energy supply. It was launched in February 2015, with the aim of providing secure, sustainable, competitive, affordable energy.^[9]

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, introduced the idea of an energy union when he was Prime Minister of Poland. Eurocommissioner Vice President Maroš Šefčovič called the Energy Union the biggest energy project since the European Coal and Steel Community.^[10] The EU's reliance on Russia for its energy, and the annexation of Crimea by Russia have been cited as strong reasons for the importance of this policy.

The European Council concluded on 19 March 2015 that the EU is committed to building an Energy Union with a forward-looking climate policy on the basis of the Commission's framework strategy, with five priority dimensions:

• Energy security, solidarity and trust
• A fully integrated European energy market
• Energy efficiency contributing to moderation of demand
• Decarbonising the economy
• Research, innovation and competitiveness.

^[4][11]

The strategy includes a minimum 10% electricity interconnection target for all member states by 2020, which the Commission hopes will put downward pressure onto energy prices, reduce the need to build new power plants, reduce the risk of black-outs or other forms of electrical grid instability, improve the reliability of renewable energy supply, and encourage market integration.^[12]

Earlier proposals

The possible principles of Energy Policy for Europe were elaborated at the Commission's green paper A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy on 8 March 2006.^[13] As a result of the decision to develop a common energy policy, the first proposals, Energy for a Changing World were published by the European Commission, following a consultation process, on 10 January 2007.

It is claimed that they will lead to a 'post-industrial revolution', or a low-carbon economy, in the European Union, as well as increased competition in the energy markets, improved security of supply, and improved employment prospects. The Commission's proposals have been approved at a meeting of the European Council on 8 and 9 March 2007.^[14]

Key proposals^[15] include:

• A cut of at least 20% in greenhouse gas emissions from all primary energy sources by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels), while pushing for an international agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol aimed at achieving a 30% cut by all developed nations by 2020.
• A cut of up to 95% in carbon emissions from primary energy sources by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.
• A minimum target of 10% for the use of biofuels by 2020.
• That the energy supply and generation activities of energy companies should be 'unbundled' from their distribution networks to further increase market competition.
• Improving energy relations with the EU's neighbours, including Russia.
• The development of a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan to develop technologies in areas including renewable energy, energy conservation, low-energy buildings, fourth generation nuclear reactor, clean coal and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).
• Developing an Africa-Europe Energy partnership, to help Africa 'leap-frog' to low-carbon technologies and to help develop the continent as a sustainable energy supplier.

Many underlying proposals are designed to limit global temperature changes to no more than 2 °C above pre-industrial levels,^[16] of which 0.8 °C has already taken place and another 0.5–0.7 °C is already committed.^[17] 2 °C is usually seen as the upper temperature limit to avoid 'dangerous global warming'.^[18] Due to only minor efforts in global Climate change mitigation it is highly likely that the world will not be able to reach this particular target. The EU might then not only be forced to accept a less ambitious global target. Because the planned emissions reductions in the European energy sector (95% by 2050) are derived directly from the 2 °C target since 2007, the EU will have to revise its energy policy paradigm.^[19][20]

In 2014, negotiations about binding EU energy and climate targets until 2030 are set to start.^[21][22] European Parliament voted in February 2014 in favour of binding 2030 targets on renewables, emissions and energy efficiency: a 40% cut in greenhouse gases, compared with 1990 levels; at least 30% of energy to come from renewable sources; and a 40% improvement in energy efficiency.^[23]

Current policies

SET Plan

The FP7 research program only reserved a moderate amount of funding for energy research, although energy has recently emerged as one of the key issues of the European Union. A large part of FP7 energy funding is also devoted to fusion research, a technology that will not be able to help meet European climate and energy objectives until beyond 2050.^[24] The European Commission tried to redress this shortfall with the SET plan.^[25]

The Steering Group on the implementation of the Strategic Energy Technologies Plan (SET Plan) on 26 June 2008 will set the agenda for an EU energy technology policy. It will enhance the coordination of national and European research and innovation efforts to position the EU in the forefront of the low-carbon technologies markets.^[26][27]

The SET plan initiatives:

European Wind Initiative

focus on large turbines and large systems' validation and demonstration (relevant to on and off-shore applications).

See also: European Technology Platform for Wind Energy

Solar Europe Initiative

focus on large-scale demonstration for photovoltaics and concentrated solar power

Bioenergy Europe Initiative

focus on 'next generation' biofuels within the context of an overall bio-energy use strategy.

See also: European Biofuels Technology Platform

European CO₂ capture, transport and storage initiative

focus on the whole system requirements, including efficiency, safety and public acceptance, to prove the viability of zero emission fossil fuel power plants at industrial scale.

European electricity grid initiative

focus on the development of the smart electricity system, including storage, and on the creation of a European centre to implement a research programme for the European transmission network.

See also: European Technology Platform for the Electricity Networks of the Future

Sustainable nuclear fission initiative

focus on the development of Generation IV reactors technologies.^[28] This includes the ESNII which comprises the Allegro reactor, MYRRHA and ASTRID.^[29]

The budget for the SET plan is estimated at €71 billion.^[30]

The IEA raised its concern that demand-side technologies do not feature at all in the six priority areas of the SET Plan.^[25]

The EU resolution is available in EUR-Lex^[31]

EERA

The European Energy Research Alliance (EERA)^[32] is founded by the leading research institutes in the European Union (EU), to expand and optimise EU energy research capabilities through the sharing of world-class national facilities and the joint realisation of national and European programmes. This new Research Alliance will be a key actor of the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) and will contribute to accelerate the development of new low carbon technologies for EU to move toward a low carbon economy.^[33]

Energy sources

The climate and energy policy is a choice between democracy and autocracy. The choice is one between patronage-based oil-and-gas oligarchies on the one hand, and adaptive and innovative low-carbon economy on the other.^[35]

Under the requirements of the Directive on Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources, which entered into force in October 2001, the member states are expected to meet "indicative" targets for renewable energy production. Although there is significant variation in national targets, the average is that 22% of electricity should be generated by renewables by 2010 (compared to 13,9% in 1997). The European Commission has proposed in its Renewable Energy Roadmap21 a binding target of increasing the level of renewable energy in the EU's overall mix from less than 7% today to 20% by 2020.^[36]

Europe spent €406 billion in 2011 and €545 billion in 2012 on importing fossil fuels. This is around three times more than the cost of the Greek bailout up to 2013. In 2012, wind energy avoided €9.6 billion of fossil fuel costs. EWEA recommends binding renewable energy target to support in replacing fossil fuels with wind energy in Europe by providing a stable regulatory framework. In addition, it recommends setting a minimum emission performance standard for all new-build power installations.^[37]

Energy markets

The EU promotes electricity market liberalisation and security of supply through Directive 2009/72/EC.

The 2004 Gas Security Directive^[38] has been intended to improve security of supply in the natural gas sector.

Energy efficiency

IPEEC

At the Heiligendamm Summit in June 2007, the G8 acknowledged an EU proposal for an international initiative on energy efficiency tabled in March 2007, and agreed to explore, together with the International Energy Agency, the most effective means to promote energy efficiency internationally. A year later, on 8 June 2008, the G8 countries, China, India, South Korea and the European Community decided to establish the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, at the Energy Ministerial meeting hosted by Japan in the frame of the 2008 G8 Presidency, in Aomori.^[39]

Buildings

Buildings account for around 40% of EU energy requirements and have been the focus of several initiatives.^[40] From 4 January 2006, the 2002 Directive on the energy performance of buildings^[41] requires member states to ensure that new buildings, as well as large existing building undergoing refurbishment, meet certain minimum energy requirements. It also requires that all buildings should undergo 'energy certification' prior to sale, and that boilers and air conditioning equipment should be regularly inspected.

As part of the EU's SAVE Programme,^[42] aimed at promoting energy efficiency and encouraging energy-saving behaviour, the Boiler Efficiency Directive^[43] specifies minimum levels of efficiency for boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels. Originally, from June 2007, all homes (and other buildings) in the UK would have to undergo Energy Performance Certification before they are sold or let,^[44] to meet the requirements of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Directive 2002/91/EC).^[45]

Transport

Carbon dioxide emissions from transport have risen rapidly in recent years, from 21% of the total in 1990 to 28% in 2004.^[46]

EU policies include the voluntary ACEA agreement, signed in 1998, to cut carbon dioxide emissions for new cars sold in Europe to an average of 140 grams of CO₂/km by 2008, a 25% cut from the 1995 level. Because the target was unlikely to be met, the European Commission published new proposals in February 2007, requiring a mandatory limit of 130 grams of CO₂/km for new cars by 2012, with 'complementary measures' being proposed to achieve the target of 120 grams of CO₂/km that had originally been expected.^[47][48]

In the area of fuels, the 2001 Biofuels Directive requires that 5,75% of all transport fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) should be replaced by biofuels by 31 December 2010, with an intermediate target of 2% by the end of 2005. In February 2007 the European Commission proposed that, from 2011, suppliers will have to reduce carbon emissions per unit of energy by 1% a year from 2010 levels, to result in a cut of 10% by 2020 Stricter fuel standards to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.^[49]

Flights

Airlines can be charged for their greenhouse gas emissions on flights to and from Europe according to a court ruling in October 2011.^[50]

Industry

The European Union Emission Trading Scheme, introduced in 2005 under the 2003 Emission Trading Directive,^[51] sets national caps on greenhouse gas emissions for power plants and other large point sources.

Consumer goods

A further area of energy policy has been in the area of consumer goods, where energy labels were introduced to encourage consumers to purchase more energy-efficient appliances.^[52]

External energy relations

Beyond the bounds of the European Union, EU energy policy has included negotiating and developing wider international agreements, such as the Energy Charter Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, the post-Kyoto regime and a framework agreement on energy efficiency; extension of the EC energy regulatory framework or principles to neighbours (Energy Community, Baku Initiative, Euro-Med energy cooperation) and the emission trading scheme to global partners; the promotion of research and the use of renewable energy.^[53]

The EU-Russia energy cooperation will be based on a new comprehensive framework agreement within the post-Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which will be negotiated in 2007. The energy cooperation with other third energy producer and transit countries is facilitated with different tools, such as the PCAs, the existing and foreseen Memorandums of Understanding on Energy Cooperation (with Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Algeria), the Association Agreements with Mediterranean countries, the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans; Euromed energy cooperation; the Baku initiative; and the EU-Norway energy dialogue.^[53] For the cooperation with African countries, a comprehensive Africa-Europe Energy partnership would be launched at the highest level, with the integration of Europe's Energy and Development Policies.^[15]

For ensuring efficient follow-up and coherence in pursuing the initiatives and processes, for sharing information in case of an external energy crisis, and for assisting the EU's early response and reactions in case of energy security threats, the network of energy correspondents in the Member States was established in early 2007. After the Russian-Ukrainian Gas Crisis of 2009 the EU decided that the existing external measures regarding gas supply security should be supplemented by internal provisions for emergency prevention and response, such as enhancing gas storage and network capacity or the development of the technical prerequisites for reverse flow in transit pipelines.^[54][55]

Policies under development

Documents leaked in late-2016 reveal that a confidential European Union impact assessment analyzes four scenarios for paring back the 'priority dispatch' system afforded to renewable generation in many countries. Priority dispatch is mandated under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC which expires in 2020. The assessment concludes that removing priority dispatch could increase carbon emissions by 45 million to 60 million tonnes per annum or up to 10%, with the aim of making European energy generators more flexible and cost-competitive.^[56]

Solar anti-dumping levies

The European Commission imposed anti-dumping levies on Chinese solar panel imports in June 2013.^[57] As reported earlier China was selling solar panels under production costs that made the operation without return also for the Chinese solar power companies. Chinese government guaranteed the operation of Chinese solar power companies.

Research and development

The European Union is also active in the areas of energy research, development and promotion, via initiatives such as CEPHEUS (ultra-low energy housing), and programs under the umbrella titles of SAVE (energy saving) ALTENER (new and renewable energy sources), STEER (transport) and COOPENER (developing countries).^[58] Through Fusion for Energy, the EU is participating in the ITER project.^[59]

Public opinion

In a poll carried out for the European Commission in October and November 2005, 47% of the citizens questioned in the 27 countries of the EU (including the 2 states that joined in 2007) were in favour of taking decisions on key energy policy issues at a European level. 37% favoured national decisions and 8% that they be tackled locally.^[60]

A similar survey of 29,220 people in March and May 2006 indicated that the balance had changed in favour of national decisions in these areas (42% in favour), with 39% backing EU policy making and 12% preferring local decisions. There was significant national variation with this, with 55% in favour in the Netherlands, but only 15% in Finland.^[61]

A comprehensive public opinion survey was performed in May and June 2006.^[62] The authors propose following conclusions:

• Energy issues are considered to be important but not at first glance.
• EU citizens perceive great future promise in the use of renewable energies. Despite majority opposition, nuclear energy also has its place in the future energy mix.
• Citizens appear to opt for changing the energy structure, enhancing research and development and guaranteeing the stability of the energy field rather than saving energy as the way to meet energy challenges.
• The possible future consequences of energy issues do not generate deep fears in Europeans’ minds.
• Europeans appear to be fairly familiar with energy issues, although their knowledge seems somewhat vague.
• Energy issues touch everybody and it is therefore hard to distinguish clear groups with differing perceptions. Nevertheless, rough distinction between groups of citizens is sketched.

See also

• CHP Directive
• Commission Green paper
• Directorate-General for Energy (European Commission)
• Eco-Design of Energy-Using Products Directive
• Electricity in the European Union
• Energy Charter Treaty
• Energy Community
• Energy conservation
• Energy efficiency in Europe (study)
• EU Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU
• European Atomic Forum
• European Climate Change Programme
• European Commissioner for Energy
• European countries by electricity consumption per person
• European countries by fossil fuel use (% of total energy)
• European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER)
• European Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council
• Global strategic petroleum reserves
• INOGATE
• Renewable energy in the European Union
• Transport in Europe

Member states

• Energy policy of the United Kingdom

References

External links

• Official website
• European information campaign on the opening of the energy markets and on energy consumers' right.
• European Strategic Energy Technology Plan, Towards A Low Carbon Future.
• Eurostat – Statistics Explained – all articles on energy
• ManagEnergy, for energy efficiency and renewable energies at the local and regional level.
• BBC Q&A: EU energy proposals
• 2006 Energy Green Paper
• Collective Energy Security: A New Approach for Europe
• Berlin Forum on Fossil Fuels.
• The post-industrial revolution.
• Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency – Meeting the European Union 2 °C climate target: global and regional emission implications
• German Institute for International and Security Affairs – Perspectives for the European Union's External Energy Policy
• Energy Law Research Forum
• The Liberalisation of the Power Industry in the European Union and its Impact on Climate Change – A Legal Analysis of the Internal Market in Electricity.
• Torsten H. Fransson Lecture: Implementing Clean Energy Goals in the EU – European Union Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

In the media

• 8 Sep 2008 New Europe (neurope.eu) : Energy security and Europe.
• 10 Jan 2007, BBC: EU plans 'industrial revolution'
• 10 Jan 2007, BBC: EU's energy plans – how revolutionary?
• 10 Jan 2007, Reuters: EU puts climate change at heart of energy policy
• 10 Jan 2007, Xinhua: EU to build competitive internal energy market
• 10 Jan 2007, Deutsche Welle: Germany Wary About EU Energy Policy
• 10 Jan 2007, UK Government: UK Ministers strongly welcome EU energy proposals
• 9 Jan 2007, Greenpeace: Fine wrapping conceals lack of substance
• 14 Dec 2006, opendemocracy.net: Russia, Germany and European energy policy
• 20 Nov 2006, eupolitix.com: Barroso calls for strong EU energy policy