A Smart EU Energy Policy

A four party project

New the Summary of the First Workshop

We are in desperate need of a EU Energy Policy. Outcries coming from press reports, especially when something is happening (again) with East-West gas flows. Apparently, the EU is either lacking such a policy, or it is not appropriately communicating about it.  Or maybe another question comes up: is it smart enough? Facts are that, yes the EU does have indeed an EU Energy Policy. It is a policy based on a vision, a vision with three components. The policy is aiming for “markets, competition and efficiency”, it is equally focussing on “a sustainable energy economy”, and thirdly, it wants to “secure the EU’s energy supply”. From a historic point of view, one could even argue that finally, after some 50 years since its inception, we have one. Going through a process that started with a common coal policy (1952), followed by a common nuclear energy policy (1957), but failed on oil and later on gas, and failed to integrate it all into a common energy policy, the European Council agreed in the spring of 2007 on a three tier approach, covering the three objectives and formulating a vision for a real EU Energy Policy. And let’s be frank, none of the other large economic regions in the world have a comparable vision and such an integrated policy approach, as not many of the EU’s members have by-the-way.

Formulating the policy, as was done in 2007, is one thing. Starting to work on implementing paths, developing policy instruments and legislative frameworks is the next and more difficult. On “the market”, a comprehensive 3^rd Energy market package was developed (following earlier energy market directives. On “the climate” a comparably challenging Green Package was proposed. And on “supply security” the Commission came with a rather fragmented 2^nd Strategic Energy Review. The market package and the green package have already largely gone through the complicated EU decision-making process, whereas the supply package is now on the agenda. In addition, the Commission has indicated that “the EU needs to begin preparing its energy future in the longer term” and that “the Commission will therefore propose to renew the Energy Policy for Europe in 2010 with a view to charting a policy agenda for 2030 and a vision for 2050, to be supported by a new Action Plan”.