European Union News - Energy

The creation of a specialized network for interdisciplinary training of researchers in advanced thin films photovoltaic (PV) technologies will represent a major boost for European research in this area. The proposed network is one of the objectives set forth within the EU funded Kestcells project.

Two resolutions approved by MEPs in plenary session underline that the emergence of exploration for shale oil and shale gas in some EU countries should be backed up with "robust regulatory regimes". Moreover, an amendment urging member states not to authorise any new fracking operations in the EU, tabled by MEPs from various groups was rejected.

The European Commission called on member states in a Communication to step up their efforts to transpose and implement the existing EU internal energy market rules. Furthermore, the European institution announced that it will work with Member States to empower consumers and to reduce state interventions which distort markets.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced that its investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy have reached €10 billion since the launch of its Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) in 2006. SEI has financed 552 projects ranging from the insulation of a nursery in Slovakia to energy efficiency credit lines in Turkey.

An event celebrated last 12 October in Karlsruhe marked the celebration of 20 years providing nuclear forensics support by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. Nuclear forensics provides information for the prosecution of nuclear smugglers and enables the identification of the origin of the intercepted material, thus providing essential information for improving preventive measures.

The new European Commission's proposal on biofuels intends to minimise the climate impacts of biofuel production. It therefore proposes to limit global land conversion for biofuel production, and raise the climate benefits of biofuels used in the EU.