The European Energy Strategy elaborated by the European Commission has rapidly developed in the last decade, leading to the adoption of the Green Paper and the Strategic Reviews on energy, in order to promote sustainability, competitiveness and security. In 2007, the European Council called on the Commission to elaborate an Action Plan for the period after 2010. The Commission’s proposals for the 2020 European Strategy include pilot initiatives for the promotion of a “Resource-efficient Europe”. These proposals for the elaboration of a strategy on energy supply in Europe by 2020, also called “20-20-20”, include EU’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20% compared to the level recorded in 1990. It is also necessary to implement a Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan).
The three main objectives – sustainability, security and competitiveness – can be reached by developing an energy market, reducing energy consumption and promoting innovative low-carbon systems.
In May 2010, the Council of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy adopted the conclusions for the strategy entitled “Towards a European Energy Strategy 2011 – 2020”. This strategy establishes the role of the energy policy in promoting a competitive and energy-efficient Europe. The new strategy focuses on key aspects related to the integration of modern networks, an increased focus on policy implementation, long-term integration and the establishment of key priorities for the future. Therefore, in order to ensure progress, EU member states and the Commission have to urge the implementation of the regulations adopted in 2007 through the Action Plan. This will generate a stable business environment for future investments and activities.
As for the long-term perspective, in accordance with the targets set at international level for the limitation of the temperature increase by 2 degrees Celsius, the European Council established as main target the reduction of GHG emissions by 80-95% by 2050, compared to the level recorded in 1990. Approximately 80% of these emissions come from electric and thermal energy, transport, fossil fuel combustion and services. The directive on renewable energy established, for the first time, mandatory objectives for the use of renewable energy in the transport sector.
The transport sector adopted regulations concerning the introduction of less polluting fuel and the power-train
technology. CO2 restrictions have been imposed for motor vehicles and vans. By 2020, the transport sector has to reach a target of 10% from the renewable energy quota.
These recent initiatives will be backed by the progress in energy efficiency, through a better integration of all the modes of transport and traffic management, as well as by constantly improving fuel use. The development of electric cars through the use of technology (such as the second generation of biofuels) and low-carbon electricity represent two major objectives that contribute to energy efficiency in the transport sector. The strategy sets as priority the promotion and encouragement of innovation by financing and supporting the private sector. “The EU has to focus its attention on the impact of investments and improve the conditions for private investments”, especially in the context in which, “because of the low level of private financing for the research-development sector, Europe spends less than 2%, while the US allocate 2.6% and Japan 3.4%”, the strategy shows.
In order to develop new technology, the EU estimates that around EUR 80 Billion need to be invested by 2020.
One of the challenges is to ensure investment funds for various projects and initiatives that will help reach the energy targets. The new energy strategy for 2011 – 2020 has to be entirely compatible with the long-term elimination of CO2 emissions, based on the investments allocated in the energy sector.
Paul Magnette, Belgian Energy Minister: “It is very important to have the necessary European instruments to support the development of innovative technologies. Belgium will have to do its best to stress the debate on the European Energy Strategy in the next decade, establishing an ambitious action plan in priority fields, such as innovation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy infrastructure and consumer protection”
by Pamela Luică
Share on:
