EU proposes energy overhaul

08 March 2006

Plans for a common European energy policy with an internal energy market and a sustainable future were outlined in a European Commission green paper, published on Wednesday 8 March, writes Jon Eldridge. The paper proposes the creation of a European energy grid code, the establishment of a priority European interconnection plan and the establishment of a European energy regulator to ensure a level playing field, particularly regarding the unbundling of networks from competitive activities. EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said that a common European energy policy was needed because “secure and affordable supplies can no longer be taken for granted”. Speaking at a conference on synthetic fuels in Brussels on 7 March, the Latvian commissioner outlined the three main objectives of the policy: improving the European Union’s energy situation by safeguarding supply; ensuring that European energy policies are competitive and bring benefits to the economy and to consumers; and reducing the environmental impact of energy production and use in the EU. The Commission has responded to the charge of parochialism levelled recently by Russian and Ukrainian energy ministers by emphasising the need for a common external energy policy. “In order to react to the challenges of growing demand, high and volatile energy prices, increasing import dependency and climate change, Europe needs to speak with a single voice in the international arena,” the EC said. Energy ministers will discuss the green paper at an Extraordinary Council in Brussels on 14 March and will forward their conclusions to heads of state and government who will meet at the EU's spring summit at the end of March 2006. A version of this article was originally published by ICISnews.

 

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