About: Maroš Šefčovič
Will Slovak coal giant benefit from EU’s clean energy transition efforts?
The European Commission chose the Trencin region in Slovakia as a pilot for its new initiative to support the transition away from coal in Europe’s regions. Coal company HBP wants to take advantage of the EU initiative – while keeping coal mining in the region.
Finns Stubb and Katainen leave door open to EU Commission top job
Former Finnish prime ministers Alexander Stubb and Jyrki Katainen left open the possibility on Saturday (9 June) that they would run to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as the EU executive’s president next year.
EU energy chief eyes Commission top job
Slovakia's member of the European Commission declared his candidacy on Monday (4 June) to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as the EU executive's president, promising to try to ease tensions between western states and newer members from the ex-communist east.
Blossoming batteries boosted by EU plan
Batteries and storage are set to become even more important as electro-mobility and renewable energy go from strength to strength. That is why EU efforts are meant to help the burgeoning industry compete against the likes of China and electric carmaker Tesla.
Sefcovic: ‘Amazed’ by leaps forward in electric vehicles
Electric vehicles have come on in leaps and bounds since Commission Vive-President Maroš Šefčovič launched the Energy Union back in 2015. Now, he's expecting the integration of renewables and the redesign of the electricity market to boost the EV revolution even further.
Europe’s attempts to spark an electric vehicle revolution
Transport is one of the EU’s few sectors where emissions are actually growing. Brussels believes that electric vehicle uptake is one of the main solutions to halt this trend but what steps are being taken to decarbonise our roads?
EU’s ‘long overdue’ first foray into truck rules revealed
CO2 emissions from trucks will be regulated under EU law for the first time as part of a package of new rules that also aims to increase efficiency and improve road safety.
Croatia’s gas import dreams continue to prove controversial
Croatia’s long-held plan to import liquified natural gas and become an EU energy hub has moved forward this year. But problems persist, even after a government-appointed committee said an LNG terminal would have no negative impact on the environment or economy of the island of Krk. EURACTIV reports from Croatia.
Dutch offshore wind farms first in world to go subsidy-free
The Dutch government has begun to follow through on its renewable energy pledges by awarding Swedish firm Vattenfall two contracts for what will be the world’s first wind farms to be built entirely without public money.
Mogherini urges Gazprom to resume Ukraine gas flows
The European Union yesterday (12 March) called on Russia's natural gas giant Gazprom to fulfil its contractual obligations and resume shipments to Ukraine.
The great European fuel shift?
Europe’s electricity industry appears to have come to terms with the reality that wind and solar power will be central to a shift away from fossil fuels, especially coal-fired power generation. Now policy makers in Brussels are swivelling the spotlight towards transport, and the biggest fossil fuel of all: oil.
Mayors in the driving seat of climate action
Europe's cities are on the frontline of climate action and the drive to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. At the 10th anniversary celebrations of the EU's Covenant of Mayors, some of its 9,000+ members revealed what is being done to fight climate change.
Momentum builds behind higher renewables target
Europe could pursue a more ambitious renewable energy target for 2030 and still keep costs affordable, according to a new European Commission-backed study, which suggests a 34% benchmark ahead of all-important institutional talks.
Regional cooperation and integrated energy markets at risk
A much more interconnected European energy market, ensuring regional cooperation and cutting out waste, makes so much sense for consumers, for security of supply and for decarbonisation. Philip Baker and Christos Kolokathis urge MEPs and member states to make it happen.
Energy poverty chairman: Extreme summer heat could provide wake-up call
Two out of three EU countries do not measure energy poverty but a new observatory launched on Monday (29 January) should provide member states with the information they need to address a problem that could affect more than 100 million people in Europe, says the chair of the EU's Energy Poverty Observatory.
11 member states smash 2020 renewables targets early
Eleven EU countries have already met their 2020 renewable energy goals ahead of schedule while the bloc as a whole has reached 17%, just shy of the overall target with two years to go, according to new data from Eurostat.
EU’s energy project list denounced by unimpressed MEPs
A proposed list of priority energy projects drawn up by the European Commission is coming under intense scrutiny by MEPs, some of whom accuse the EU executive of focusing too heavily on fossil fuel projects. The most critical voices plan to launch a landmark objection to the list.
Slovakia considers exiting coal in 2023, Sefcovic eyes geothermal energy
While Energy Union boss Maroš Šefčovič is making a case for a transition to geothermal energy in the Upper Nitra region of Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico still believes in the future of lignite mining. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
Member states’ answer to low renewables ambition: Interim targets
The European Parliament says the EU’s proposed 2030 target for renewable energy needs to be raised in order to speed up deployment early in the next decade. But EU member states have a different idea.
Sefcovic says 30% renewables target ‘affordable’ for 2030
The “impressive fall” in renewable energy prices has persuaded the European Commission to update its long-term energy projections for 2030, said Maroš Šefčovič, the EU’s Vice President in charge of the Energy Union.
Slovakia dragging its feet on EU clean mobility plan
While the European Commission is pushing to accelerate the deployment of low-emission vehicles, Slovakia – a little-known automotive ‘superpower’ in Europe – continues to drive in the slow lane, EURACTIV.sk reports.
EU unveils proposal to clean up transport, boost electric vehicles
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday (8 November) a legislative package aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in road transport and encouraging the uptake of electric cars, in an attempt to help Europe's car industry remain competitive in the face of growing pressure from the US and China.
Commission’s new clean transport rules may lack ambition
The European Commission will unveil a package of legislation regulating environmental aspects of transport on Wednesday (8 November), amid concerns from NGOs and some MEPs that it may lack ambition in setting targets for the car industry.