The European Commission adopted a comprehensive energy package and proposals on climate protection today. At the heart of the energy package is a Strategic EU Energy Review containing proposals for an energy policy for Europe. Further to this, the energy package contains several communications, in particular on the internal market for electricity and gas, on renewable energy, on fossil fuels and on nuclear power.
In this regard, Michael Glos, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, states: “The Commission’s energy review forms a good basis for preparing the action plan for energy for Europe, graduated according to priorities, the adoption of which is envisaged for the 2007 Spring Summit.
The EU’s energy supply must become more independent. Furthermore, Europe’s energy supply and use must make a greater contribution to climate protection. A sensible energy portfolio, higher energy efficiency and a continued expansion of renewables, as proposed by the Commission, are correct responses to the challenges facing energy policy. The European internal market for electricity and gas must grow together more and develop greater dynamism. We agree with the Commission that we need decisive progress here – in the interest of the consumers and in the interest of the competitiveness of Europe as a location for industry.
The German EU Council Presidency will discuss the proposals intensively with the EU member states. This includes the question of how, in terms of the operation of the grids, more competition can be created in tandem with security of supply.
We want Europe to become the world’s most energy-efficient region. Last year’s action plan from the Commission envisages an increase in energy efficiency of 20 % up to 2020. We support this ambitious objective, and we will intensively scrutinise the Commission’s proposal for an international framework agreement on energy efficiency.
In addition to this, Europe also needs more renewable energy. For this reason, the German Government supports the proposed binding overall target of 20 % for the share of primary energy consumption to be accounted for by renewables in the EU by 2020. The question of whether and to what extent nuclear power is used is a matter for the member states. This is rightly stated by the Commission.
Protecting the climate is one of the central tasks for European policy. It is therefore necessary to discuss the European Commission’s proposal that, in the context of the future development of the Kyoto Protocol, the industrial countries should jointly commit themselves to a 30 % cut in their greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared with 1990. I support the Commission’s proposal, irrespective of the outcome of the international Kyoto talks, to discuss a reduction of emissions in Europe of at least 20 % by 2020. Europe will certainly increase its efforts to protect the climate. The current target of an eight percent cut in greenhouse gases by 2012 will be substantially increased in Europe for the period up to 2020.
It is also clear that Europe needs to speak with one voice in external energy policy if we are to improve relations with the leading producer countries – and this is not least shown by the current conflict between Russia and Belarus. Here, an intensification of co-operation on energy between the EU and Russia is essential for the security of our future energy supply.”
