Tag: energy

German environmental experts doubt that developing shale gas is economically profitable and worthwhile for the country's energy transition. They also question the technology of fracking and call for a European Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure to be adopted. EurActiv Germany reports.

The Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii) has abandoned its strategy to export solar power generated from the Sahara to Europe, killing hopes of boosting the continent’s share of renewable electricity with cheap external supplies.

Nabucco chief executive Reinhard Mitschek, who leads one of he two companies competing to obtain 10 billion of cubic metres of gas annually from the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan, made the case that his project means more diversification of exports for Azerbaijan by bringing its gas to at least 16 countries in Europe.

Proposed energy labels for vacuum cleaners will confuse consumers into choosing the wrong vacuum, and the environmental impact of vacuum cleaners will grow rather than lessen, writes James Dyson.

The UK government will oppose attempts to set a new renewable energy target within the EU, in a move that could put at risk tens of billions of pounds of green investment and tens of thousands of new jobs.

Progress on energy efficiency was blocked at an EU summit on Wednesday (22 May) by a cocktail of myopic business interests and timid leadership, according to Hans Nilsson, a board member of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE).

Ukraine is taking “active steps” to win the sympathy of Germany, the country most strongly opposed to the signature of a landmark association agreement with the EU in the absence of a solution to the imprisonment of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, diplomats told EurActiv.

Several EU leaders attending a summit in Brussels announced yesterday (22 May) they would prioritise ‘silver bullet’ solutions - such as the development of shale gas - to reduce energy prices. The European Commission, meanwhile, said simultaneous action was needed "on several fronts."

The EU’s climate policy has not vanished but the approach today is probably more balanced towards other aims like energy supply security and competitiveness, Friedbert Pflüger said in an interview with EurActiv Slovakia.

When Heads of State meet today (22 May) and discuss energy policy they will remain silent on one of the key problems in the EU internal electricity market, writes Claude Turmes.

The European Parliament yesterday (21 May) approved a non-binding resolution calling for a mandatory EU-wide share for renewables for 2030, but failed to set the target in the 40-45% range.

Gazprom is squeezing Athens for better terms to buy DEPA, Greece's sole retail gas distributor, a Greek official said, as the Russian gas export monopoly leverages its position as the only major player in the running.

Changes shaking the European energy sector along with the requirements of sustainable development carry the need for a new-era energy community, mirroring  the ambitions the founders had in 1951 when they put together a coal and steel community, say Jacques Delors, Jerzy Buzek, Antonio Vitorino and Sami Andoura.

EU leaders met on 22 May to discuss how to lower energy prices and improve industrial competitiveness, at a time when other developed countries are rushing to invest in shale gas. Second issue on the agenda was tax evasion, which every year deprives EU governments of roughly €1 trillion.

While cheap energy prices in industrialised countries can be seen as a short-term reprieve for industries under competitive pressure from low-cost countries, they have negative consequences in the long run, writes Karl Aiginger. He argues that a new industrial policy should support Europe's competitive advantage in clean technology.