European Union News - Energy

Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) Nº 617/2010 of 24 June 2010 concerning the notification to the Commission of investment projects in energy infrastructure within the European Union, published in the OJEU on July 15th, aims at providing the Commission with an overall picture of the development of investment in energy infrastructure in the Union, in order to support decisions over European energy strategy.

The draft Regulation lays down the rules for auctioning emission allowances valid for the third trading period of the EU ETS starting in 2013 as well as allowances to be used by aircraft operators already as from 2012. The Commission will now submit the draft Regulation to the European Parliament and the Council for a three-month scrutiny period.

As established by the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union succeeds the European Community. It  is therefore required that the EU concludes now the Statute of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). To that effect, the OJEU of July 13th publishes the Council Decision by which the president of the Council is authorised to designate the person empowered to deposit the instrument of ratification.

The Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian energy ministers met Commissioner Oettinger in Algiers on June 20th and agreed in the signature of a Ministerial Declaration which confirms the joint objective to integrate the electricity markets and defines a concrete plan of action for the next few years, as well as the principle of an annual meeting of ministers to monitor progress.

Brussels will host on 9th July an information day on public-private partnerships funded by Seventh Framework Programme for initiatives on energy-efficient buildings, factories of the future and 'green cars'

The Committee of the Regions, in cooperation with the European Commission, has launched a survey on sustainable energy policy in cities and regions.

The Commission has decided to encourage industry, governments and NGOs to set up certification schemes for all types of biofuels, including those imported into the EU. It laid down what the schemes must do to be recognised by the Commission. This will help implement the EU's requirements that biofuels must deliver substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and should not come from forests, wetlands and nature protection areas. The rules for certification schemes are part of a set of guidelines explaining how the Renewable Energy Directive should be implemented.

MEPs and MPs form EU Member States have concluded in Brussels that the EU should accelerate the application of common energy policy rules, and the policy itself must aim to improve competitiveness and security of supply and sustainability.

A Joint Parliamentary Meeting has been organised by the European Parliament and the Spanish Parliament (Cortes Generales) on the topic, 'Towards a European Energy Community for the 21st Century?'.

A single energy market, sustainable production and security of energy supply will be the key topics at a joint meeting of MEPs and MPs from all EU Member States on 7 and 8 June at the European Parliament in Brussels. 

The summit will be hosted by President Dmitri Medvedev, accompanied by Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov. The EU will be represented by Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and José Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission. High Representative/Vice-President, Catherine Ashton, and Commissioner for Trade, Karel de Gucht will also participate.