With a single voice” “

Six priority sectors of intervention and a score of concrete actions: that’s what is proposed by the European Commission with its Green Paper on energy policies presented in Brussels last week. The Green Paper, which now passes to the scrutiny of the European Council and Parliament, is a channel of inter-institutional debate, also open to civil society. Its publication comes at a particularly delicate time, after the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine at the beginning of the year and in the midst of a debate on the creation of a single market in the energy sector (prompted by the recent case of Suez-Gaz de France-Enel). The question is on the order of the day at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday 15 March. DURABLE SOURCES, SECURITY FOR EVERYONE. “The energy challenges of the twenty-first century – explained the President of the Executive, JOSÈ MANUEL DURAO BARROSO, on presenting the document – require common European action. The EU is an essential element for the supply of durable, competitive and secure energy for European citizens. A common approach, expressed with a single voice, would permit Europe to play a leading role in the search for solutions to the energy problem”. The European Commission intends to conduct a wide-ranging debate on the problem, excluding no option: energy deals with foreign countries, beginning with an accord with Russia; reinforcement of the gas and electricity market; boosted stockpiles; use of a mix of renewable energies (solar, wind), without a priori excluding the nuclear option. “Completion of the internal market, the fight against climate change and the security of energy sources, are – explained the Commissioner for Energy, ANDRIS PIEBALGS – common challenges that require shared solutions”. For her part the Commissioner for Competition, NEELIE KROES, calls the problem of market concentrations “crucial”, adding that “the Commission could revise its rules for company mergers” in an anti-protectionist sense. “Global competition – declared Barroso expressing the Executive’s position – cannot be withstood by 25 national energy markets”. COMPLETING THE INTERNAL MARKET. There are six main sectors of intervention indicated by the Commission in its Green Paper: realization of the internal energy market; security of supplies, “according to the principle of solidarity between member states”; durable, effective and diversified energy mix “comprising renewable sources”; “realization of measures to counter climate warming” (energy saving and efficiency); investments in more modern technologies; and need for “a common external energy policy”. On the delicate question of the completion of the internal market, the Green Paper “takes into consideration new measures, including a code of practice for European energy networks”, an energy regulatory authority super partes and “new initiatives to ensure parity in operational conditions”. The Commission has pledged “to present concrete proposals by the end the year”. Various measures are proposed for security of energy supplies, including the setting up of a watchdog on energy supplies and “a reform of EU legislation on oil and gas reserves”. Another important sphere “consists of a more sustainable, efficient and diversified energy mix”. But, stresses the Commission, to prevent any conflict with national governments and public opinion, “the choice of energy mix by member states is and shall remain a question of subsidiarity”. ALL THE FUTURE CHALLENGES. In a study annexed to the Green Paper, the main challenges faced by the EU in this sector are spelt out. First, in the view of the Commission’s experts, there’s “an urgent need for investments. In Europe alone, investments amounting to approximately three billion euros will be needed in the next 20 years to satisfy estimated energy demand and replace ageing infrastructures”. Second, “our dependence on imports is growing. If internal energy is not made more competitive, imports will cover some 70% of EU energy needs in the next 20 or 30 years, in contrast to the current 50%”. Third, “reserves are concentrated in a few countries. Today approximately half of the gas consumed by the EU comes from just three states (Russia, Norway and Algeria)”. Fourth, “the global demand for energy is growing. It is estimated that by 2030 it – and CO2 emissions – will be roughly 60% higher than current levels”. Fifth, “gas and oil prices are rising; they have practically doubled over the last two years”. Lastly, a fact that is common knowledge but should not be underestimated, “the climate is warming”. This situation “will have serious repercussions on the economy and ecosystem of all the regions of the world, including Europe”.———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1459 N.ro relativo : 19 Data pubblicazione : 15/03/06