European Green Paper

European Green Paper

Green Power European Green Paper New Opportunities for Sustainable Energy Policies in Europe While the Energy Council was still reluctant to step for...

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Green Power

European Green Paper New Opportunities for Sustainable Energy Policies in Europe While the Energy Council was still reluctant to step forward, the EU Spring Council of government leaders (Brussels, 23 and 24 March) made a remarkable leap towards a really sustainable policy. The European Commission already senses strong support from the highest levels. Rolf de Vos of GreenPrices.com analyses a political change.

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n February and March 2006 some remarkable things happened concerning European energy policies. First, the Green Paper Energy ('on a European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy') was published by the European Commission. This document, open for consultation until the 24th September this year, was fiercely criticised by honourable environmental and renewable energy organizations because of its lack of sustainability. The Green Paper really is about security of supply, securing gas and oil imports, of which Europe will be more and more dependent in the coming decades, but also contains some other interesting sustainable elements. Second, the EU Council of Energy Ministers convened for a special meeting, called by the new EU President (Austria). Besides approving the directive on energy efficiency and energy services, the Energy Council prepared a new Energy Policy for Europe. But most remarkably was the third event, the EU Spring Council of government leaders. This event marked a change in attitude towards (sustainable) energy policy. Of course the Commission, with Commissioners Piebalgs and Dimas

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upfront, was already convinced of the need for sustainability goals. Nevertheless it withheld itself from mentioning any figures beyond 2010. At least until now. Because while the Energy Council cautiously prepared the wordings of a Energy Policy for Europe, the government leaders were bold enough to mention some figures within this EPE. A target of 15% renewable energy in 2015 was mentioned as an example, while 8% of all fuels in 2015 could be biomass-based. Notwithstanding the fact that these figures are not the most ambitious one could imagine the signals are clear. The tone of voice of the Spring Council was more sustainable than that of the Energy Council. Luc Werring of the European Commission puts this in perspective: "Recommendations from government leaders are with less obligations. We will have to see how things materialize in the Council of Energy Ministers. But this is clearly a more positive attitude towards energy efficiency and renewables than ever before." The Energy Policy for Europe is mostly about energy security of supply and sus-

tainability. It shows many intentions concerning oil and gas imports, cooperation at sudden disruptions in power supply grids and even about nuclear energy. It does not contain many concrete measures concerning renewables. And obviously many obstacles have to be removed before a uniform, sustainable energy policy can be established. First reactions proved that many EU government leaders, for instance, are still afraid of losing their autonomy. But instead of stepping on the brakes, the Council now seems to be accelerating its thoughts on renewables. For once not the European Parliament or the European Commission is taking the lead, but the European Council. Behind all of this, there is another important development within European energy policies. The European Union is tightening its reins more and more, also concerning energy efficiency and renewables. That was about time. All too often governments have pointed their finger at the European Union for the lack of real progress. On the other hand the Member States together didn't succeed in formulating a common EU energy agenda. The

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Green Power

A list of intentions In a short period of time the European Commission published a few important intentions, often supported by the European Parliament: The Directive 'Energy services and energy efficiency (approved, including 49 amendments). The Green Paper 'Doing More with Less' about energy efficiency was open for public consultation since mid-2005. Until closing over 200 stakeholders had commented on the Paper. The resulting 'Action Plan' on energy efficiency will be published before the end of June 2006. In 2005 the Commission published the Biomass Action Plan. The Spring Council recommended that all action points will be executed with

priority, because bio-energy needs to make up its shortfalls. The Biofuels Directive 2003 will be modified this year. Among other things a mandatory share of biofuels will be investigated. In 2006 the Commission will come up with a proposal for a renewable heating and cooling directive. As with biomass, the potential has not been reached here either. The Green Paper on a European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy, published in February, proves that sustainable energy is becoming 'mainstream'. There are six priorities: To complete the internal energy market new measures are needed, like a European ener-

gy grid code and a European interconnection plan; Solidarity must ensure that the EU can deal with potential supply disruptions; A sustainable, efficient and diverse energy mix is a priority. Subsidiarity stays, but a Strategic EU Energy Review must ensure that the EU's overall energy mix implies security of supply; To address global warming, the Action Plan on energy efficiency is supported and a new Road Map for renewable energy sources in the EU is proposed, with possible targets to 2020 (such as 15% in 2015) and beyond; A strategic energy technology plan will ensure that European industries are world leaders in new technologies and processes; A common external energy policy.

lack of such a common agenda can be seen as the main reason why targets for 2010 (12 % share of renewable energy, 21% share of renewable power) probably won't be met. At present proof for a political change is becoming abundant. Within a year a number of papers, communications, action plans and directives have been published, in some cases approved or even implemented in national legislation (see text box). Of course paper won't blush and green papers don't guarantee any positive results, but the positive tone of voice and the sustainable ambitions are becoming more and more apparent. Both the Spring Council and Energy Council conclusions may be regarded as input for the public consultation on the Green Paper Energy, which is seen as the prelude for a more integrated EU energy policy. Such a policy has been a wish of many stakeholders and politicians for many years. For the first time, energy efficiency and renewable energy are substantial parts of such a policy. In order to maintain an integral policy in the long run, the European Commission proposes in its Green Paper to present a 'strategic EU Energy evaluation' to the Energy Council and the Parliament at regular intervals. Specifically for renewables, the Commission will present a special roadmap, in which effects of different renewable sources will be compared. Of course the Green Paper is only a document for consultation. But in the end a real, integral energy policy for Europe is not hypothetical anymore. The recent statements from high level meetings are triggering real sustainable promises.

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