MEPs call for more European energy solidarity

24 March 2006

The European Parliament has called for a more ambitious common energy policy that focuses on renewable energy sources, solidarity between member states and the need to complete the internal market for electricity and gas, writes Jon Eldridge. MEPs voted on March 23 in favour of a resolution on the security of energy supply. The resolution, which was drafted on behalf of the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE and UEN groups, urges the Commission and Council to come up with "more concrete measures” and  “ambitious targets” for energy. Many deputies expressed concern that member states are becoming isolationist and that more must be done to encourage the principle of solidarity between EU states. In a debate on the security of energy supply, Swedish Liberal MEP Lena Ek said that it is “shameful that we cannot count on our new member states for solidarity”. However, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso defended the Commission’s energy policy saying that security issues were part of the solidarity chapter. “Fighting for a sustainable future is something for all of us,” he said. Referring to the allegations that France blocked Italian plans to buy utility Suez, Green MEP Claude Turmes questioned whether it was advisable to allow the creation of “big European companies that take consumers for a ride”. Socialist MEP Robert Goebbels urged the Spring Council meeting to “take a decision on oligarchies”. The draft resolution states that a  "well functioning internal market" is imperative to energy security. It is concerned by "protectionist support for national market leaders", and "urges the Commission to ensure full implementation of the internal market rules to ensure fair and non-discriminatory competition and avoid the formation of oligopolistic energy markets".    MEPs voted in favour of Turmes’ amendment to the resolution that calls for a “European answer to the emerging national economic patriotism”. The resolution also calls for firmer targets for renewable energies. It calls on member states to meet targets of  "12 percent share of total energy consumption and 22.1 percent of electricity from RES [renewable energy sources] by 2010". UK centre-right MEP Giles Chichester said that the Commission’s green paper does not give enough consideration to nuclear power. The draft resolution suggests that member states should apply the principle of subsidiarity when it comes to policies on nuclear energy. President Barroso said that on nuclear power the Commission neither “advocates nor dissuades” member states. MEPs rejected an amendment by Claude Turmes’ on behalf of the green group that “notes that nuclear energy prevents investments in a truly energy-efficient economy and causes a certain number of problems and risks, such as long-living highly radioactive waste, risks of major accidents and risks of proliferation”. A version of this article was published at ICISnews.

 

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