Energy Transition 2013
The completion of the internal energy market by 2014: feasible or illusory?
In light of the Communication on “making the internal energy market work” released by the European Commission in November 2012, Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations and the Development Group organised a Symposium entitled “the completion of the EU internal energy market by 2014: feasible or illusory?” on the 21st of February 2013 in Brussels. The Symposium was the first of a series of 5 events related to “the multifaceted challenges of the EU energy transition towards a low-carbon economy” that will be held this year.
It was opened up by Inge Bernaerts, Head of Unit Internal Market II: Wholesale Markets; Electricity and Gas, DG Energy, European Commission. She presented the main aspects of the Communication and pointed out three main challenges for making the internal energy market work: make the regulation work (implementation), enable consumers to play an active role and thus profit from the liberalisation, and encourage cross boarder investments.
Afterwards Jerzy Buzek, MEP and Rapporteur for “Making the Internal Energy Market Work” stressed that there is still more that has to be achieved than is already done. As current parliamentary discussions showed, most of the MEPs support the objectives of the internal market, but unfortunately national legislations are often not on line.
Subsequently, around 60 energy stakeholders discussed key issues, including the difficulty to bridge long-term goals with the usual 4-years period of legislature, the revision of state-aid guidelines and the necessity to make regional collaboration mandatory rather than voluntary, therefore, stronger action at the EU level is needed and success will mainly depend on political leadership. Moreover, collaboration between Member States is absolutely essential. Before agreeing on national energy measures that could have negative consequences on other Member States, EU Governments should discuss together. In conclusion, we cannot hope to complete the Internal Energy Market by 2014 but, according to Prof. Jerzy Buzek, we could reach between 70 and 90% of the set goals.
As many questions remain without satisfactory answers, the Egmont Institute intends to publish soon a European Policy Brief providing a more in-depth analysis on the issue.
Here you’ll find the complete report as well as the agenda of the Symposium. The Presentations of Holger Gassner(RWE Innogy), Ivo Hlavac (CEZ Group), Jayesh Parmar (Baringa Partners) and Walter Peeraer (Fluxys SA) can be seen. Pictures of the Symposium can be found at Flickr
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The external dimension of the EU energy policy in transition
On the 16th of April 2013, Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations and the Development Group organized the 2nd Symposium of a series of five events related to “the multifaceted challenges of the EU energy transition towards a low-carbon economy” that will be held in Brussels this year.
In light of the Communication on security of energy supply and international cooperation entitled “The EU Energy Policy: Engaging with Partners beyond Our Borders” and the “Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050” released by the Commission at the end of 2011, the 2nd Symposium focused on specific issues linked to the external dimension of the EU’s energy policy – especially on the role of gas and the importance of the diversification of supply.
The keynote address was provided by Paula Abreu Marques, Head of Unit for International relations & Enlargement at the DG Energy of the European Commission. She started by emphasizing that the challenge of energy security takes on a more global perspective. Our energy landscape is shifting. In the EU, we are facing decreasing production of domestic fossil fuels. At the same time, the global energy markets are changing. This is particularly due to the increasing energy demand from emerging economies, the nuclear accident in Fukushima, and the expansion of shale gas production in North America.
It was followed by 2 Sessions on “The role of gas in the external dimension of the EU energy policy” and “The diversification strategy of the EU and its external partners“, in which François-Régis Mouton (GasNaturally), Thomas Geisel (EON Ruhrgas), Nikolaas Baeckelmans (ExxonMobil), Didier Lebout (Gazprom Marketing & Trading France), Michael Hoffmann (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) and Wim Groenendijk (Gasunie) presented their point of view. Their key findings were discussed by Simon Blakey (Eurogas), Jean-Arnold Vinois (Adviser to Kommissar Oettinger) and more than 70 stakeholders from the European Energy Community.
Finally, Thomas Koehler, CEO of Cassidian CyberSecurity GmbH, illustrated the main cyber threats of an increasingly interconnected economy with several examples of previous attacks on energy companies and infrastructure. As cyber attacks have increased significantly during the last years, the European Commission announced a European Cyber Security Strategy as well as a proposal for a Directive on measures to ensure a high common level of cyber security across the EU.
Here you’ll find the complete report as well as the agenda of the Symposium. Pictures of the Symposium can be found at Flickr.
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Beyond the 2020 horizon - Moving towards a common EUenergy policy
On the 10 June 2013, the Development Group and Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations organised a High Level International Conference in the framework of a series of five events related to “the multifaceted challenges of the EU energy transition towards a low-carbon economy” held in Brussels this year.
In light of the conclusions of the European Council of 22 May 2013, the Green Paper on the EU post-2020 energy and climate policy framework released by the European Commission in March 2013, and the EU energy Roadmap released in 2011, this High Level Conference focused on the future of the European energy policy framework, and on what could be the next climate and energy targets for 2030.
After welcoming the 120 participants, Viscount Étienne Davignon, President of the Egmont Institute, started by pointing out the profound modifications in the energy landscape these past years, including the decreasing production of domestic fossil fuels, the significant overcapacity due to the development of renewable energy sources (RES), the difficult integration of RES that impacts security of supply, the decisions of phasing-out nuclear power in some Member States, and the consequences of the shale gas revolution in North America on the global energy markets.
Afterwards, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, summarized the main challenges of a European Energy Policy. He underlined that it will not be easy for the EU to compete in the midst of a global energy revolution. However, the EU can make more out of its energy situation by creating jobs, growth and competitiveness, particularly with green energy. In order to do so, the EU needs to play its cards well as it has no major ‘game changer’ (such as shale gas) compared to some other global actors.
It was followed by the first Session on “What are the key challenges and obstacles to the development of a European energy policy: lessons from the 2020 EU energy strategy” during which Philip Lowe (Director-General, DG Energy, European Commission), Dr Hans Buenting (CEO, RWE Innogy GmbH), Giovanni Brianza (Head of Strategic Planning/M&A, Edison S.p.A.) and Dr Jayesh Parmar (Partner, Baringa Partners) presented their point of view.
The second session was addressed to “What should be the design of the 2030 EU energy policy framework?”. Edouard Sauvage (Member Executive Committee/Director of Strategy, GDF Suez), Reinhard Mitschek (Managing Director, Nabucco Gas Pipeline International), Josche Muth (Secretary General, EREC – the European Renewable Energy Council) and Dr Andreas Goergen (President of Energy Sector in South West Europe, Siemens) shared their point of view.
Their key findings were discussed by the Chairmen, Viscount Étienne Davignon (President of the Egmont Insitute for International Relations) and Sami Andoura (Senior Research Fellow at the Egmont Institute & Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute), and all the participants from the European Energy Community. Here you’ll find the complete report as well as the agenda of the High Level Conference, the presentations of our speakers can be seen by clicking on their names. Pictures can be found at Flickr.
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How to foster innovation in a fast changing EU energy landscape?
On 8 October 2013, Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations and the Development Group organised the 3rd Symposium in a series of five events related to “the multifaceted challenges of the EU energy transition towards a low-carbon economy” that have been held in Brussels this year.
In reponse to the Commission's Communication on “Energy Technologies and Innovation” (published in May 2013), as well as the conclusions of the European Council of 22 May 2013, about 70 participants from the European Energy Community discussed the crucial question of “How to foster innovation in a fast changing EU energy landscape?”
The Symposium was opened up by Marie Donnelly (Director for Renewables, Research and Innovation, and Energy Efficiency, DG Energy). She stressed that the EU has already made three important choices that are considered “no regrets” options: increased energy efficiency, a higher share of renewable energy sources, and smart, flexible infrastructure. She also outlined that the Commission will release a legislative package on the environmental aspects and the exploration of shale gas in the EU within the next months.
During the 1st Session, entitled “What is the future for fossil fuel resources in terms of innovation?“, Pavel Řežábek (ČEZ Group), Brian Ricketts (Euracoal) and Dr. Robert Judd (European Gas Research Group), presented on the potential of power, coal and gas technologies in the European energy transition. Opening up the dabate, discussant Marco Gazzino (ENEL) emphasised that the utility business model is currently shifting. A new role must thus be given to traditional generation assets.
In the 2nd Session, entitled “What is the potential for further innovation in RES, smart grids and energy efficiency technologies?, Jon Stretch (Landis+Gyr), Filip Smeets (Hydrogenics) and Monica Frassoni (European Alliance to Save Energy) pointed out how smart meters, hydrogen and energy efficient solutions can contribute to a successful energy transition, even though their potential is still largely untapped. Finally, the discussion, which was introduced by Dries Acke (European Climate Foundation), showed that innovation is not so much a question of developing new technologies as it is an issue of combining all existing technologies into a joint solution.
To conclude this Symposium, András Siegler (Director for Energy, DG Research and Innovation) stated that the solutions we need to successfully facilitate the energy transition are not yet fixed, and the majority of them are not yet developed. Moreover, he stressed the importance of improving our understanding of energy systems’ integrated structure. That is why the Commission has invited more than 140 experts from the energy, innovation and financial sectors to contribute to the development of an “Integrated Roadmap for the SET Plan”.
Here you’ll find the complete report as well as the agenda of the Symposium.
Pictures of the Symposium can be found at Flickr.
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