Energy policy of the European Union

Presented by: Dayana Nenova Dobrina Zhekova Julia Katsarova

Some interesting facts:

In 2007, the EU was importing 82% of its oil and 57% of its gas. 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

Brief Introduction

• European energy policy was approved at the meeting of the informal European Council on 27 October 2005 at Hampton Court.

• Prior to the Treaty of Lisbon (2007), EU energy legislation has been based on the EU authority in the area of the common market and environment.

An Energy Policy for Europe

A European Energy Policy commit the European Union (EU) to :• A low consumption economy.• More secure, more competitive and more

sustainable energy. • Ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal

market in energy.• Security of strategic supply.• Concrete reductions in greenhouse gas

emissions caused by the production or consumption of energy.

• EU's ability to speak with a single voice on the international stage and develop a single energy mar ket.

Development of a common energy market ?

Unwillingness for privatization and vertical

disintegration

Lack of interconnectio

n

Arguments

+ Effective supply

+ Major impact on climate change and on available energy sources

- National security

- Different countries 'situations

Proposals

• In March 2006, the European

Commission issued a Green

Paper aimed at laying the

foundation for a sustainable,

competitive and secure energy

market in the EU. As a result,

the first proposals, Energy for a

Changing World were published

by the European Commission on

10 January 2007

Key proposals include:

• A cut of 20% in greenhouse gas by 2020.

• A cut of up to 95% in carbon emissions from primary energy sources by 2050.

• A minimum target of 10% for the use of biofuels by 2020.

• Improving energy relations with the EU's neighbours, including Russia.

• The development of energy technologies .

• Developing an Africa-Europe Energy partnership.

ChallengesThe European Union energy policy has three principal aims: 1. Sustainable development and

climate protection.2. Maintaining competitiveness.3. Ensuring security of energy

supply.

The routes to these three goals are improving energy efficiency, furthering the deployment of new technology, better utilization of renewable energy sources and a move towards a more sustainable, efficient and varied combination of energy sources in order to ensure energy security.

Essential to EU’s energy challenges

• Sustainability: renewable energy producers must get good access to the transmission network to make them competitive.

• Security of supply: if the transmission grid is separated from the generation of electricity, more incentives to companies to invest in new infrastructure, inter-connection capacity.

• Competitiveness: a competitive market will cut costs for citizens and companies and stimulate energy efficiency and investment.

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I078032&sitelang=en

Current Policies• SET plan• EERA• Energy Sources • Energy Markets• IPEEC• Buildings

• Transport• Flights • Industry• Consumer Goods • External Energy Relations • Research and

Development

SET (Strategic Energy Technologies) Plan•Establishes energy technology policy for

Europe•A strategic plan  to accelerate the

development and deployment of cost-effective low carbon technologies

• Expanding and optimizing EU energy research capabilities

Energy Sources

• Member states are expected to meet “indicative” targets for renewable energy production

EERA (European Energy Research Alliance)

Energy Markets

• Improve security of supply in the natural gas sector

IPEEC (International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation)

• To explore the most effective means to promote energy efficiency internationally

Buildings

• 40% of EU energy requirements

• Focus of several initiatives

Transport

• Cut the CO2 emissions • Flights• Industry

Consumer Goods

• Encourage consumers to purchase more energy-efficient appliances

External Energy Relations• EU energy policy has included negotiating and

developing wider international agreements:• The Energy Charter Treaty• The Koyto Protocol• The post-Kyoto regime and a framework agreement

on energy efficiency• Extension of the EC energy regulatory framework

or principles to neighbors (Energy Community, Baku Initiative, Euro- Med energy cooperation)

• The emission trading scheme to global partners; the promotion of research

• The use of renewable energy

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)• Programs under the umbrella titles of SAVE

(energy saving) ALTENER (new and renewable energy sources), STEER (transport) and COOPENER (developing countries)

• Through Fusion for Energy, the EU is participating in the ITER project

Public opinion• 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

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