European Union News - Energy

According to Eurostat, forests cover around 40% of the EU27 land area and half the EU27 consumption of renewable energy comes from wood. In the European Union, three quarters of forest area was available for wood supply in 2010. Furthermore, renewable sources of energy provided 9% of total gross inland energy consumption in the EU in 2009.

The Energy Council on 10 June called for efforts to tap the potential for higher energy savings of buildings, transport and products. Energy efficiency is a key tool in combating climate change and one of the most cost effective ways to ensure energy supply.

In a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, MEPs are in favour for a more ambitious trade and boosting the recently-agreed roadmap for visa-free travel between the EU and Russia in order to give a new impetus to negotiations for a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. However, only if Russia commits in protecting basic human rights, removing curbs on press freedom, pulling its troops out of Georgia and allowing gay parades.

The study, which contributes to the realisation of Priority Project 3 (“High speed railway axis of southwest Europe”), will specifically look at track bed design and electrification along certain sections of the Vitoria-Bilbao-San Sebastián high speed line. It will receive €2.35 million in EU co-funding.

The Ombudsman’s action follows several complaints from citizens suggesting a lack of information concerning the changes made to the maximum levels. Therefore, he has asked the European Commission to provide citizen-friendly information about the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs in the EU before and after the Fukushima accident in Japan.

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, MEP responsible for the report adopted by the Energy Committee in the European Parliament, explained that the main aim of the draft regulation on energy market integrity and transparency (REMIT) is to prevent market abuse and manipulation in the wholesale energy market. The key changes to the proposed regulation is to get the maximum market transparency: minimum penalties and clearer rules.

MEPs at the Industry, Research and Energy Committee voted on the draft directive on the management of spent fuel and radioactive, that EU Member States should be allowed to export radioactive waste to non-EU countries provided the waste is processed in accordance with new EU safety rules. The Committee also backed stricter rules for the protection and training of workers in the industry.

The European Commission and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators' Group (ENSREG) agreed on the criteria covered and the way controls will be done. In addition, they decided the starting day for the stress test in European nuclear power plants.