Energy
EU asserts ‘right to regulate’ as part of energy charter treaty reform
EU member states gave the European Commission a mandate yesterday (15 July) to revise the Energy Charter Treaty, saying the legally-binding charter must reinstate Europe’s “right to regulate” in areas like climate change and workers’ rights.
With fraudulent practices on Europe’s energy refurbishment market, national market authorities are needed!
Public decision-makers want to see progress on the energy refurbishment market. This means that EU member states need to take measures to enable the emergence of energy transition operators.
100% renewable power requires radical EU market fix, Poles argue
Polish energy officials have called for a major overhaul of EU power markets, saying the deployment of up to 100% renewables will require a decentralised way of trading electricity, based on local “nodes” rather than regional bidding zones defined at European level.
Von der Leyen pressed to deliver on climate after winning EU vote
The European Parliament confirmed Ursula von der Leyen as the first women president of the European Commission in a nail-biting vote on Tuesday (16 July) that put climate change centre stage. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
How vulnerable is Europe to conflict in the Strait of Hormuz?
NEWS ANALYSIS / The involvement of a British tanker in the latest military incident with Iran in the crucial oil shipment choke point has pulled Europe into the fray.
Is Ukraine really committed to EU-style gas reform?
Ukraine has promised to reform its gas sector. But do the government, or the national gas company, really mean it, questions Danila Bochkarev.
EU co-finances new arch for Chernobyl
Reactor 4 of the Ukrainian Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been covered with a new arch and is the largest mobile structure ever built by humans. This time, it has been co-financed by the EU. EURACTIV's media partner Euroefe reports.
Poland firms up gas, nuclear plans to fill green power gap
Replacing Poland’s obsolete coal power fleet is a top political priority for the country, both for environmental and energy security reasons. But even as it steps up renewable energy plans, Warsaw is also pushing hard for new gas and nuclear plants to fill in the gap.
Wind power: What next for Europe?
Europe is the cradle of the wind energy industry and is still rightly perceived as a global leader in the sector. But fresh projects have slowed in recent years, pointing to new challenges for the EU’s wind energy sector in...
In a moment of urgency, put energy efficiency first
Steps can be taken to improve energy efficiency. This is the surest route to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, write Kim Fausing and Rachel Kyte.
EU threatens Turkey with sanctions over Cyprus drilling
The European Union is set to curb contacts and funding for Ankara in retaliation for what it calls Turkey’s “illegal” drilling for gas and oil off Cyprus and stands ready to ramp up sanctions further, according to a draft statement.... VideoPromoted content
Meet BSEF at the International Flow Battery Forum 2019
BSEF will take part at the International Flow Battery Forum 2019 in Lyon, to support the business case for flow batteries and long duration energy storage, and to meet with worldwide experts.
Russia readies to ratify Paris Agreement, warns about renewables ‘absolutism’
The Russian government will submit legislation to ratify the Paris climate agreement by September, but president Vladimir Putin warned against the perils of “absolutist” renewable energy. EURACTIV's media partner Climate Home News reports.
European solar thermal market sees slight increase
In the European Union, the solar thermal market grew by almost 10% compared to 2017. Despite this being a large increase, it remains insufficient to achieve short-term objectives. EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement reports. InfographicPromoted content
The Bromine-based energy storage
Bromine-based flow batteries are a highly efficient and cost-effective electro-chemical energy storage solution, providing a range of options to successfully manage energy from renewable sources, minimizing energy loss, reducing overall energy use and cost and safeguarding security of supply.OpinionPromoted content
The digital industry must become greener
5G will allow the ICT sector to reduce its energy use, and innovate more to help other sectors reduce CO2 emissions, writes Detlef Eckert, Huawei’s Global Policy Affairs Vice-President.
Chizhov: Washington chose to act unilaterally to abrogate nuclear arms treaty
In a wide-ranging interview, Russia's Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov, speaks about nuclear arms control, the EU elections and top jobs, the situation in Ukraine, including the MH17, and America's bid to challenge Russian gas.
Germany’s coal phase-out bill to be ready by end 2019
The federal economic ministry has followed the German coal commission's recommendation by preparing a draft bill to phase-out coal power generation. However, things are going too slowly, according to the Greens. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Iran condemns detention of oil supertanker in Gibraltar
Iran on Thursday (4 July) condemned the "illegal interception" of one of its oil tankers in Gibraltar where authorities said they suspected it was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.OpinionPromoted content
European values and the drive for climate neutrality
On July 10th in Brussels, the Polish Electricity Association will host the second edition of ‘Summer Day’. The 2019 theme will be "Baltic Offshore: Regional answer to the EU energy transition."
EU ‘climate leaders’ praised on goal-setting but falling short on detail
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany are often seen as “climate leaders” when it comes to setting ambitious carbon reduction objectives for 2050. However, they lack concrete measures to achieve them, according to fresh analysis published today (4 July).
Official EU petition calls for minimum carbon price
The European Commission registered an official petition on Wednesday (7 July) that calls on the EU executive to set up a minimum carbon price, “discourage the consumption of fossil fuels” and keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees.
Financing the energy transition in Poland
Financing climate change targets is currently a hot topic on the EU’s agenda, especially in the context of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. How do the EU's financing options compare to to the needs of the energy transition in Poland?
Europe takes on China’s global dominance of rare earth metals
A new industry association was launched in Brussels last week with the aim of bringing together all the players in the supply chain of rare earth metals, which are vital to renewable and low-carbon technologies.