Nikolaus J. Kurmayer
Incoming Czech EU presidency to focus on green buildings law
The EU’s building stock is responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) wants to tackle the issue for real.
German LNG accelerator law under fire by environmental NGOs
The German government, rushing to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, is about to enact a law that will accelerate the construction of liquified natural gas infrastructure. Germany will then be able to import LNG from anywhere, causing concern among environmental NGOs about extending its dependence on fossil fuels even longer.
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and Belgium sign €135 billion offshore wind pact
Heads of government from the North Sea countries gathered in Esbjerg to sign a cooperation agreement on offshore wind development and “green” hydrogen. They will target at least 65 GW by 2030 and 150 GW by 2050.
EU urges building insulation push in bid to end reliance on Russian gas
The European Commission’s plan to eliminate Russian energy imports by 2027 features a strong focus on energy efficiency. For the energy intensive buildings sectors, this means yet another push to insulate homes fast.
Germany presents energy efficiency ‘work plan’ to reduce fossil fuel demand
Amid growing pressure to reduce Germany’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the government presented plans on Tuesday (17 May) to save more energy, reports Clean Energy Wire.
The Brief – The new German triumvirate
The traditional “big tent parties” in Germany are the conservative CDU/CSU and the old lady SPD. For the longest time, the German political system was bipolar, with the liberal FDP often playing kingmaker with less than 10% of the votes.
Netherlands to ban fossil heating from 2026, make heat pumps mandatory
The Dutch government intends to ban new fossil fuel-centric heating system installations as of 2026, while introducing the mandatory use of heat pumps or connections to heat networks.
EU capitals mull seizing Russia-linked energy assets
From Sofia to Berlin, governments are contemplating expropriating, nationalising and otherwise seizing energy infrastructure owned by Russia-linked companies. Bulgaria is launching a political debate on the possible expropriation of strategic assets owned by Russian companies. The pro-European Democratic Bulgaria, part...
Berlin pushes for a €60 minimum price on EU carbon markets
Discounting allegations of speculation on the EU carbon market, Berlin is throwing its weight behind a minimum price of €60 per tonne of CO2, saying it will ensure this through national measures if the EU does not take action.
Scholz to face major litmus test in elections of largest German state
On Sunday, 15 May, voters in the largest German state, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), will head to the polls. The results in the 17 million inhabitant state will be the first time that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is being judged by voters.
Berlin inches closer to expropriating Gazprom assets
Following the Russian announcement of sanctions against 31 European utilities, including Gazprom Germania, the German government is inching closer to expropriating the German Gazprom subsidiary and related assets.
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
The Green Brief: Breaking up (with Russian oil) is hard to do
When she tabled a proposal to ban all imports of Russian oil and refined petroleum products by the end of the year, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen knew she would face resistance, if not outright opposition.
German government agrees on law to speed up LNG terminal construction
The German government has submitted a legislative proposal to speed up the permitting process and construction of onshore and floating liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals, as well as the necessary pipelines to connect them to the grid.
European politicians want citizen panels to be used at EU level
The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) ended on Monday (9 May), but a group of politicians want citizens' forums that were at its heart to become a permanent practice at the EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s ‘summer package’ to focus on heating sector revamp
Germany will seek to shake off its dependency on Russian gas with a new heating strategy focusing on district solutions and a mandate to make heat pumps mandatory as of 2024.
EU electrolyser industry commits to boost manufacturing capacity tenfold by 2025
Electrolyser manufacturers in Europe committed on Thursday (5 May) to increase their manufacturing capacity tenfold – to 17.5 GW per year by 2025 – as part of a joint declaration with the European Commission in Brussels.
EU hopes to build on past experience to fast-track hydrogen market
In its attempt to create an EU-wide market for clean hydrogen, the European Commission aims to build on years of experience spent trying to integrate EU markets for gas and electricity. These lessons could prove crucial to grow the hydrogen market and meet the bloc's 2030 climate goals.
Germany secures four floating LNG terminals in mad rush to replace Kremlin gas
As Russia’s war continues, the German government has been frantically looking for alternatives to Russian pipeline gas and mobile floating tankers repurposed to process LNG from around the world have become the government’s solution. To ship gas long-distance, it needs...
European Parliament agrees position on EU election law overhaul
On Tuesday (3 May), the European Parliament adopted its position on a major reform of EU electoral law that would introduce bloc-wide transnational lists, following a compromise between the largest EU parties in March.
EU ministers show unity ahead of Russia’s next gas-for-roubles payment deadline
The EU’s 27 energy ministers came to Brussels on Monday (2 Mary) in a show of unity with Poland and Bulgaria which saw their Russian gas supplies cut off last week over their refusal to pay in roubles.
Germany signs hydrogen cooperation agreement with India
Germany’s economy and climate minister Robert Habeck and India’s energy minister R.K. Singh have signed an agreement on German-Indian hydrogen cooperation following multiple rounds of consultations.
Port of Antwerp reaps rewards from Brexit
Brexit has been disastrous for EU-UK trade, but one unexpected beneficiary is the port of Antwerp which has seen its share of UK trade increase on the back of a transition away from rail shipping.