Energy security key in next wave of European energy laws

The European Commission set out its first thoughts on the next wave of EU energy legislation today, stating its intention to promote major investments in renewable energy to improve energy security

The Commission's second Strategic Energy Review came as proposals from the previous "Energy and Climate Change Package", which includes the Renewable Energy Directive, was yet to be signed off by ministers and MEPs.

The Commission said today's new proposals would help to build on the previous package - which is now expected to be agreed by the end of 2008 - and assist Member States in meeting the 20% emissions cuts and 20% renewable energy goals that have been set.

Among a series of reports on different energy issues in the package was a new EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan, which focuses on five areas:

• Infrastructure needs and the diversification of energy supplies
• External energy relations
• Oil and gas stocks and crisis response mechanisms
• Energy efficiency
• Making the best use of the EU's indigenous energy resources.

The Commission wants to reduce the 54% of energy that Europe currently needs to import, in order to keep prices down.

The EU Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, said: "The proposals adopted today represent an unequivocal statement of the Commission's desire to guarantee secure and sustainable energy supplies, and should help us deliver on the crucial 20-20-20 climate change targets."

Renewables

A section of the Strategic Energy Review highlights the current legal and supply chain barriers to the development of renewable energy.

A communication entitled "Overcoming barriers to Renewable Energy in the EU" is expected to be tabled by the Commission in 2010. The review published today is also expected to provide the basis for an Energy Action Plan, which should be adopted at the Spring Council 2010 and form the new EU energy policy.

Offshore wind featured prominently in the Commission's plans for promoting low carbon energy generation (see this separate New Energy Focus story).

Proposals for specific projects to improve Europe's energy infrastructure include a Mediterranean "energy ring" that the Commission wants to see developed to link southern Europe with northern Africa and help foster "vast" solar and wind energy potential.

It also wants to see plans drawn up for a North Sea offshore grid, connecting national electricity grids and plugging in planned offshore wind projects.

Efficiency

Plans for energy efficiency including evaluating the 2006 Energy Efficiency Action Plan next year. Ahead of this, however, a new Energy Efficiency Package is being tabled with measures ranging from new legal requirements for buildings and labelling for energy-using products and heating or air conditioning systems.

Guidelines to promote the use of "highly efficient" cogeneration plants are also on the agenda.

A new Sustainable Energy Financing Initiative is being prepared, jointly with the European Investment Bank and other financial organisations, to mobilise large-scale private sector funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, "clean" fossil fuels and combined heat and power projects.

The Commission will also issue a "Communication on Financing Low Carbon Technologies" to look into how to set up large-scale demonstrations including 12 carbon capture and storage plants.

Energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs said: "We have to do more, be more ambitious, and be even bolder to avoid the risk of energy disruption in the future. This means investment. Investing in energy, including energy efficiency, means giving our economy the push it needs at this uncertain time."