The completion of the internal electricity market – due in 2014 – is absolutely vital. Bottlenecks have to be eliminated by speeding up investments in transmission infrastructure, strengthening electricity interconnection and minimising incompatible national policies. Public intervention is also critical, not least in order to protect vulnerable consumers. However public measures have to be more coordinated at national and local levels across Europe. The public service obligations that have already been agreed must also be put in place.

Renewables at centre stage – Europeanisation of support schemes

Renewables have the greatest potential to reduce Europe's energy dependence. The EESC champions the increased use of renewables at the lowest possible cost and advocates that support be directed mainly to immature technologies. It therefore asks the Commission to provide a definition of a "mature energy source".  "We strongly support the Europeanisation of renewable support schemes and urge the Commission to do more to facilitate cooperation mechanisms between Member States, because all these measures help contain energy prices and secure energy supply," says Pierre Jean Coulon, rapporteur for the EESC's opinion on a Commission's communication^[1] providing Member States with guidance on how to make the most of public intervention.

Making the energy market work for consumers

Demand-response technology and energy efficiency offer enormous potential in reducing consumption. The EESC strongly supports the promotion of these technologies in a user-friendly way with necessary and easily understandable information provided without additional costs.

"Electricity is an essential basic commodity and must be managed as such," stresses Sorin Ionita, co-rapporteur and an EESC member from Romania.  The EESC urges the Commission to provide better safeguards and further strengthen public service obligations, irrespective of current austerity constraints.