European Union News - Energy

The European Commission launched on may 19th a call for proposals covering key energy infrastructure projects such as energy interconnections, offshore wind energy and carbon capture and storage as part of the implementation of the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR), on which the Council and the Parliament recently reached agreement. Project promoters are invited to submit their proposals by July 15th 2009.

The Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union on May 15th, a Call for Proposals for the development of actions in conservation and environmental policy in the scope of the Programme LIFE+.

Any advertisement that reflects the technical characteristics of refrigerators, washing machines or furnaces should indicate the energy consumption of the product, according to the Parliament decision. MEPs who have voted on the directive that governs the energy labeling, suggest that the label of a product is valid for three to five years and the energy rating standards are updated regularly.

The European Commission welcomes the formal adoption of the climate and energy package and legislation to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and transport fuels. The measures, agreed in December, put Europe firmly on the road towards becoming a low-carbon economy and will increase energy security. The package sets legally binding targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels and to increase the share of renewable energy to 20%, both by 2020. It will also help achieve the EU's objective of improving energy efficiency by 20% within the same timeframe. The package makes Europe the first region in the world to implement such far-reaching, legally binding climate and energy targets.

During the latest Fusion for Energy (F4E) Governing Board the accession of Switzerland to F4E was reported to be formally approved by both chambers of the Swiss Parliament with an overwhelming majority.

The European Commission has adopted an initiative introducing new and tougher targets for the payment of EU funds which it manages directly. The proposals aim to step up ongoing efforts and speed up cash flow to beneficiaries, and will apply to €15 billion of funds that have specific payment times covering areas like research, education and youth, energy and transport.

The Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (AECI) has launched a call for proposals for the work program 2009 "Intelligent Energy for Europe". The budget of the call is EUR 65 million.

Notice has been published in the OJEU on April 2nd 2009, of the launch of a call for proposals for Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). KICs will be highly integrated, creative partnerships including education, technology, research, business and entrepreneurship that will produce new innovations and new innovation models and inspire others to emulate them.

The European Commission adopted on March 31st the 2009 Work Programme of the Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE) Programme aiming at co-financing non-technology projects to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport. This Work Programme will be jointly operated with the European Investment Bank. The objective of the IEE Programme is to support sustainable development and to contribute to the achievement of the general goals of environmental protection, security of supply and competitiveness.

The heads of state and government, meeting in Brussels between March 19th and 20th 2009 affirmed that the implementation of the recovery plan of December is progressing well. The fiscal stimulus of over €400 billion will generate new investments, boost demand and create jobs. The Council also emphasised that the single market was central to making the recession in Europe shorter and less severe. Stressing the need to get lending flowing again to businesses and households, it agreed to speed up agreement on pending legislative proposals on the financial sector.