Energy security: EC puts forward comprehensive strategy to strengthen security of supply
29 May 2014 12:24 PM
The
European Commission reacts on the current geopolitical environment and the
EU´s import dependence: It advocates a new European Energy Security
Strategy. Diversifying external energy supplies, upgrading energy
infrastructure, completing the EU internal energy market and saving energy are
among its main points. The strategy also highlights the need to coordinate
national energy policy decisions and the importance of speaking with one voice
when negotiating with external partners. It builds on the progress already
achieved since the gas crisis in 2009. The proposals of the Commission,
including actions to ensure uninterrupted supplies this winter, will be
discussed by EU Heads of State or Government at the European Council on 26-27
June.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso
said: "The EU has done a lot in the aftermath of the gas crisis
2009 to increase its energy security. Yet, it remains vulnerable. The tensions
over Ukraine again drove home this message. In the light of an overall energy
import dependency of more than 50% we have to make further steps.
The Commission has tabled a comprehensive strategy today which
will be discussed by EU leaders in June. I count on their strong support, since
increasing energy security is in all our
interest. On energy security, Europe must speak and act
as one."
European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger
said: "We want strong and stable partnerships with important
suppliers, but must avoid falling victim to political and commercial blackmail.
The EU and its Member States have a long list of homework in front of them:
Collectively, we need to reinforce our solidarity with more vulnerable Member
States. We also need to complete the internal energy market, improve our
infrastructure, become more energy efficient and better exploit our own energy
resources. Moreover, we need to accelerate the diversification of external
energy suppliers, especially for gas. Only concrete actions will
help."
To
ensure uninterrupted supplies this winter, the Commission proposes
comprehensive risk assessments (stress tests). These would be conducted on the
regional or EU level by simulating a disruption of the gas supply. The aim is
to check how the energy system can cope with security of supply risks and based
on that develop emergency plans and create back-up mechanisms. Such mechanisms
could include increasing gas stocks, decreasing gas demand via fuel-switching
(in particular for heating), developing emergency infrastructure like, for
example, completing reverse flow possibilities and pooling parts of the
existing energy security stocks.
To
address the medium- and long-term security of supply challenges, the Commission
proposes actions in several key areas:
-
Completing the internal energy market and
building missing infrastructure links is essential to quickly
respond to possible supply disruptions by directing energy flows across the EU
as and where needed. The Commission has identified 33 infrastructure projects
which are critical for the EU's energy security. Apart from that, the
Commission proposes to extend the target as regards interconnection of
installed electricity capacity to 15% by 2030 while taking into account the
cost aspects and the potential of commercial exchanges in the relevant regions.
(Member States have already committed to ensure interconnectivity of 10% by
2020.)
-
Diversifying supplier countries and routes. In
2013, 39% of EU gas imports by volume came from Russia, 33% from Norway and 22%
from North Africa (Algeria, Libya). While the EU will maintain its relationship
with reliable partners, it will seek ties to new partner countries and supply
routes, e.g. in the Caspian Basin region by further expanding the Southern Gas
Corridor; by developing the Mediterranean Gas Hub and by increasing LNG
supplies.
-
Strengthening emergency and
solidarity mechanisms and protecting critical infrastructure. In this
respect the Commission will for example review the provisions and
implementation of the Security of Gas Supply Regulation.
-
Increasing indigenous energy production: This
includes further deployment of renewables, and sustainable production of fossil
fuels.
-
Improving coordination of national energy policies and
speaking with one voice in external energy policy. The Commission aims to
be involved at an early stage in envisaged intergovernmental agreements with
third countries that could have a possible impact on security of supply.
Moreover, the Commission will ensure that all such agreements and all
infrastructure projects on EU territory fully comply with the relevant EU
legislation.
-
Further developing energy technologies.
-
Increasing energy efficiency. As buildings are
responsible for 40% of our energy consumption and a third of natural gas use,
this sector plays a crucial role.
Background
Recent events have raised EU-wide concerns about
ensuring uninterrupted energy flows as well as stable energy prices. At the
European Council of March 2014 the Commission committed to conduct an in-depth
study on European energy security and to present a comprehensive plan on how to
reduce EU energy dependence. The findings and the proposals will be discussed
at the European Council on 26-27 June.
On
the one hand global energy demand is growing and is expected to increase by 27%
by 2030. On the other hand EU domestic energy production has decreased by
almost one-fifth between 1995 and 2012. Today more than 50% of the EU's
energy needs are covered by external suppliers: in 2012 almost 90% of oil, 66%
of gas and 42% of solid fuels consumed in the EU were imported, representing a
bill of more than €1 billion per day.
For
further information
MEMO/14/379
The
In-depth study of European Energy Security as well as the Communication
"European Energy Security Strategy" can be found on the following
website of the European Commission:http://ec.europa.eu/energy/security_of_supply_en.htm