About: Energy Policy for Europe
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Chemical industry guarded about its European future
The European chemical sector has issued a “very serious” warning about its slumping competitiveness, but refuses to be alarmist just yet, saying shareholders should not worry, that big industrial groups are now global, and less exposed to Europe.
Commission makes energy ‘top priority’ of EU budget reform
Energy policy should rank among the "top priorities of the EU budget," claimed Budget and Financial Programming Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite at a conference yesterday (12 November 2008) on reform of the EU budget.
MEPs push for efficiency in long-term EU energy strategy
Energy efficiency can increase the EU's energy independence and should take centre stage in the Commission's upcoming second strategic energy review, argue a group of MEPs in a letter to future EU presidencies.
EU could halt energy demand growth, says study
Sweeping improvements in the energy productivity of Europe's economies could prevent the runaway energy demand and consumption currently threatening to undermine the EU's economic growth, says a new report by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI).
EU, Africa unveil ‘ambitious’ energy partnership
The partnership will involve investments worth over €600 million to support electrification in Africa as well as renewable energy projects that would help diversify Europe's energy supplies. A further agreement could be reached on Wednesday on a Transaharan Gas Pipeline, nicknamed the 'African Nabucco'.
IEA urges EU to fully liberalise energy markets
The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) has published its first review of EU energy policy, endorsing controversial Commission plans to break up European energy giants and calling for greater cross-border trade in renewable energy among other recommendations.
EU eyes ‘supergrid’ to harness Saharan sun
Massive solar power installations in the Sahara desert could feed the EU's growing energy demand via a new supergrid. The idea is backed by France and the UK, which is simultaneously trying to limit priority access for renewables to domestic grids.
Brussels unperturbed by new national energy giant
The merger of French energy companies Gaz de France and Suez has created a new national 'champion', triggering accusations of protectionism from some of the country's neighbours. But the Commission expects the new giant to respect its obligations under EU competition law.
MEPs want two billion per year for clean tech
The European Parliament is urging the Commission to make available considerable funds to drive the use of less polluting energy technologies as part of the EU's efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
MEPs: Strong EU regulator key to energy market puzzle
The Commission should envisage greater powers for a new regulatory agency in its proposals on EU energy market liberalisation, according to MEPs in Parliament's Industry (ITRE) Committee.
Conference hears EU energy supply anxieties
Russia and Gazprom were on everyone's lips at the annual conference of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) in Brussels last week, which focused on the EU's external energy policy.
Commission scrambling to finalise battered climate plans
The Commission's services are engaged in intense negotiations to finalise controversial energy and climate proposals, which are under heavy attack from industry groups and some member states, who warn the plans could destroy Europe's competitiveness. Green groups have come to the defence of the proposals.
EU seeks ‘world leadership’ in energy technologies
On 22 November, the Commission will publish a Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) to help the EU reach targets for renewable energies uptake and CO2 emissions reductions. Brussels hopes the plan will boost a 'clean' technology sector plagued by high costs, market barriers and under-investment.
‘Impressive’ energy cartel uncovered in Germany
The German cartel office has compiled considerable evidence of price fixing and anti-competitive behaviour by Germany's four main electricity and gas suppliers, according to information obtained by the Spiegel.
Commission set for climb-down on ‘ownership unbundling’
A proposal to further liberalise the EU's energy market, due on 19 September, is to present member states with alternative options to full 'ownership unbundling' in an effort to ward off a veto threat from nine countries led by Germany and France, EU officials have told EURACTIV.
Interview: Renewables becoming EU’s ‘most dynamic’ industries
The naysayers have it wrong: Europe can easily achieve a 20% share for renewables in its energy mix, nuclear can be phased out and second-generation biofuels technologies will arrive in time to meet bioenergy targets sustainably, according to Oliver Schäfer, of the European Renewable Energy Council.
EU braces for next round of ‘difficult’ energy talks
The second half of 2007 promises renewed tensions as legislators prepare to hammer out the EU's future energy policy. Controversial Commission proposals on energy market liberalisation are due in September, with renewables and CO2 burden-sharing proposals scheduled for the end of the year.EU tries to assuage consumer fears about energy prices
A Commission initiative to launch an Energy Consumers' Charter has run into criticism from consumer groups who argue that its non-binding character will not be enough to stop borderline commercial practices.
Experts disagree on EU energy market liberalisation
On 26 June, panellists from a range of sectors debated the role of regulation, fiscal incentives, consumers and other issues related to the transformation of the EU's energy market in light of climate-change and energy-security concerns.
Interview: Poland seeking EU Treaty changes
The double majority voting system in the Council of Ministers and the division of competences between the EU and its member states are two major issues of concern for Poland ahead of a June summit on institutional reform, EU Ambassador Jan Tombi?ski has told EURACTIV in an interview.
E.ON drops Endesa bid amid protectionism concerns
The German energy giant dropped its €42.4 billion offer for Endesa, ending an 18-month battle that saw E.ON’s bid for the Spanish utility thwarted by repeated government intervention.Industry unable to meet UK demand for renewable power
A growing gap is emerging between supply and demand for electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the UK with production expected to fall short in 2007, according to a survey by Datamonitor.EU trying to solve renewable-energy ‘headache’
Officials said that the Commission was still unsure about how it will share the burden among member states, after EU leaders agreed earlier in March to have 20% of their overall energy needs covered by renewables by 2020.