 EU starts defining energy strategy for next decade
EU ministers yesterday (31 May) gave their first views on the upcoming EU energy strategy for 2011-2020, agreeing that it should be ready for endorsement by EU leaders in March 2011.
During a meeting of the Energy Council in Brussels, EU ministers gave their first input into the energy priorities until 2020.
The strategy, originally intended for a 2010-1014 time frame, has been delayed. The EU executive decided to extend the horizon to 2020 to align it with the 'Europe 2020' strategy and give a stable framework for long-term energy investments, an EU official told EurActiv.
The ministers agreed that to meet the 2020 climate goals, it is important to first implement existing legislation fully. But considering the long lead time of energy investments, they stressed that the strategy should also be in line with long-term climate goals.
The European Commission is planning to present a 2050 energy roadmap early next year to provide a long-term vision for EU energy policy. Many ministers also stressed the importance of external energy policy, calling for progress on interconnections.
The difficult economic situation in which many European governments currently find themselves shines through some of the more cautious language of the conclusions, published at the end of the ministerial meeting.
The ministers stressed that there is a balance to strike between sustainable energy aspirations and economic growth. They further added that cost-efficient reporting and monitoring requirements, as well as review mechanisms, will be necessary to adapt policies to changing circumstances while guaranteeing national governments the right to decide on their energy choices.
Source: http://www.euractiv.com
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