Ukraine Partnership Bureau

On the 13th of November the European Commission has proposed a wide-ranging energy package which gives a new boost to energy security in Europe, supporting the 20-20-20 climate change proposals.

Presenting the Commission's second Strategic Energy Review package, President José Manuel Barroso said: «Energy prices have risen by an average of 15% in the European Union in the last year. 54% of Europe's energy is imported at a cost of ?700 for every EU citizen. We have to address this urgently, by taking measures to increase our energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on imports. We have to invest and diversify».
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said: «A greater focus on energy in the EU's international relations is crucial to the energy security of the EU. The development of strong and reliable energy partnerships with suppliers, transit countries and other major energy consumers is a key, and therefore the new generation of energy interdependence provisions proposed today is an important step forward».
The first priority identified in the second Strategic Review is to adopt and rapidly implement the measures to reach European Council energy policy targets for Europe aiming at a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% share for renewables in final energy consumption and a 20% saving in future energy demand by 2020.
The second priority is to address the growing precariousness of Europe's energy supply security. Even when the renewable energy policy goals are reached, Europe is likely to be dependent on more imports than today.
The Commission puts forward a new strategy to build up energy solidarity among Member States and a new policy on energy networks to stimulate investment in more efficient, low-carbon energy networks.
The Commission proposes a new EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan which sets out five areas where more action is needed to secure sustainable energy supplies.
The Commission also looks at the challenges that Europe will face between 2020 and 2050.
In addition, a package of energy efficiency proposals aims to make energy savings in key areas, such as reinforcing energy efficiency legislation on buildings and energy-using products, and enhancing the role of energy performance certificates as well as inspection reports for heating and air-conditioning systems.
The first Strategic Review led to the European Council agreement in March 2007 on energy policy targets for Europe.