Dokumendid - Think Tank - Euroopa Parlament

Briefing - EU energy relations with the Western Balkans - 24-03-2025

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:00:00 GMT

The six countries that make up the region known as the Western Balkans differ in terms of size, population, economy, energy mix and energy import dependency. At the same time, they share common elements because of their geographical proximity, and – in some cases – common policies adopted in the past. An example is their ageing infrastructure dating back to the 1970s, which was damaged during the conflicts in former Yugoslavia. Another common element (except for Albania) is their reliance on solid fossil fuels (mainly coal), and their dependency on imports of fossil fuels. The EU is the leading trade partner for the countries of the Western Balkans and an important investor in the region. In addition, it is the largest provider of financial assistance to the region, supporting the six countries' development and reforms, as well as its transition towards sustainable energy, with financial and technical assistance. The EU provides assistance through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the European Investment Bank. While the EU has an important role in the region, Russia and China are major players, too. Russia has been active for decades in the Western Balkans, while China has started engaging more recently. Their strategy also differs, with Russia more focused on exporting its fossil fuels to the region, and China investing through its Belt and Road Initiative. Nonetheless, such involvement creates dependencies, which could hamper these countries' integration into the EU – from both a political and an energy/economic perspective – as well as the functioning of the EU itself. In this context, experts have noted what steps the EU and the countries in the region could take to lessen these dependencies, while enhancing the Western Balkan countries' energy security and helping them take the necessary steps towards the green transition.

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Briefing - EU and Ukraine: Potential for stronger energy cooperation on the path to integration - 24-03-2025

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Ukraine is the second largest country on the European continent after Russia. Its oil, coal and gas reserves, as well as its geostrategic position, ensured its important role in energy trade, both during the Soviet Union and after its collapse. However, Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine (since 2014), followed by a full-scale war of aggression against the country, have had severe human and economic impacts. In the energy area, for example, Russia's strategy has been to weaponise (e.g. the occupation of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station) or destroy (hydro and coal-fired power plants, as well as electricity grid substations) energy infrastructure. As a result, Ukraine's electricity generation capacity has been severely limited. Moreover, its choice to be less dependent on Russian energy, and to apply for EU membership, means that, within a short time frame, it must rebuild its energy grid and orient it towards a future with less fossil fuels; all this while being in a war. Energy relations between the EU and Ukraine are multifaceted (e.g. the Energy Community; the memorandum of understanding on energy in 2005, updated in 2016; the association agreement signed in 2014). In future, they are due to be reframed under the institutional arrangements for the enlargement talks (after Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022). Since the Russian invasion in 2022, to help Ukraine cope with the multiple challenges its energy grid has been facing, the EU has used several mechanisms and initiatives, such as successfully synchronising the Ukrainian grid with the Continental European Synchronous Area; the EU civil protection mechanism; the Ukraine Facility; the Ukraine Energy Support Fund; and the European Investment Bank. The outcome of the war is uncertain, and some see recent statements by the new United States administration as a significant setback for Ukraine. Others focus instead on the possibilities for further collaboration between Ukraine and the EU. They bring as examples the country's vast gas reserves and infrastructure both to transport and to store natural gas, nuclear power or green hydrogen, provided that the country engages in the development of relevant infrastructure.

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Lühitutvustus - Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU - 06-03-2025

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:13:30 GMT

Russia's war in Ukraine led the EU to take measures for its energy security. Three years later, the results are positive, but more can be done to further lower reliance on Russian fossil fuels and nuclear energy in the EU. The Commission is due to make a statement on the issue during the March plenary session.

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Briefing - Security of energy supply - 26-09-2024

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Energy supply security is often defined as the availability of an adequate supply of energy at a reasonable cost. Even a partial supply disruption can have severe consequences, which the European Union has experienced on several occasions. Over the years, energy market developments have affected the EU's economic situation time and again, from the 1970s oil crisis to the 2009 gas crisis and 2022 energy price crisis following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With the exception of coal, the EU's energy resources are limited, leaving it particularly vulnerable to disruption, particularly for oil and gas supplies. The EU has a relatively high dependency on energy imports (62.5 % in 2022) and this rate has been increasing since 1990. The EU has built a legislative framework to ensure the security of its energy supplies. The electricity sector is subject to a regulation on risk-preparedness that mandates Member States to implement tools for preventing and managing potential electricity crises – and to work together once such crises occur. The Oil Stocks Directive requires Member States to hold a minimum reserve and inform the European Commission about the stock they hold. The EU Regulation concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply ('Security of Gas Supply Regulation') introduces a solidarity mechanism between Member States and a supply standard ensuring continuous gas supply to protected customers. Despite this comprehensive framework, significant challenges remain on the road towards a fully-fledged EU energy security strategy. The planned revision of the EU regulation, expected for 2025, could provide the impetus to adapt the existing security framework to new challenges resulting from the decarbonisation of the energy market and new import patterns. The security framework could be broadened to reflect a new way of perceiving energy supply security, based not only on energy sources, but also on the ability to produce energy domestically (including through renewable energy). The issue of energy security will likely remain a long-term challenge for the EU. Scope remains for stronger coordination between Member States and legislative intervention to complete the framework.

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Lühitutvustus - What if electrification transformed the EU economy? - 04-09-2024

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 22:00:00 GMT

Electrification is the process of replacing technologies and systems that rely on fossil fuels with those powered by electricity, often sourced from renewable energy. Electrification is gaining momentum across many sectors, including transport, buildings and industry, driven by the EU's climate ambition and security of supply. As the cost of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind continues to fall, electrification presents an opportunity to reshape the European economy, enhancing competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.

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Lühitutvustus - Improving EU electricity market design - 08-04-2024

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:19:04 GMT

On 14 March 2023, the European Commission proposed an electricity market reform to reduce price volatility for consumers and improve conditions for investors in low-carbon energy. The co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on the proposal to improve the EU's electricity market design in December 2023. �Ϸ��վ will now vote on the agreed text during its April I 2024 plenary session.

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Lühitutvustus - Hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package - 08-04-2024

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:52:33 GMT

During the April I plenary session, the European �Ϸ��վ is expected to vote on two provisional agreements reached with the Council on the hydrogen and decarbonised gas markets package, which would recast the 2009 EU Gas Directive and the 2009 EU Gas Regulation. These agreements resulting from interinstitutional negotiations, endorsed by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) in January 2024, substantially amend the texts originally proposed by the European Commission.

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Briefing - Recent threats in the Red Sea: Economic impact on the region and on the EU - 27-03-2024

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 23:00:00 GMT

Since mid-November 2023, the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which controls large parts of Yemen, has attacked numerous Western commercial ships near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. In response, major shipping companies have temporarily suspended Suez transits and diverted their trade. This diversion coincides with decreasing freight in another maritime chokepoint, the Panama Canal, provoked by lowered water levels. Rounding South Africa via the Cape of Good Hope is the shortest alternative route for travel by ship between Asia and Europe, a route that increases shipping time by 10 to 14 days. Shipping prices had already been on the rise recently, owing to increased fuel and insurance costs. The diversion has caused delays that have disrupted global supply chains, with certain companies choosing to halt production in their factories. If the situation persists or worsens, it could further affect energy supplies and prices, all this potentially contributing to higher inflation. This could, in turn, hamper the efforts of central banks to achieve a 'soft landing'. If, in addition, United States (US) and European Union (EU) central banks decide to keep interest rates high, developing countries will have to pay premium prices for international debt, raising repayment risks for many countries in Africa that have maturity deadlines this year. The attacks have reduced income from maritime fees and could affect commodity exports for some countries in the region, worsening an already precarious economic situation. If the situation persists or worsens, it could also impact trade for other countries in east Africa and aggravate food security challenges, generating social unrest in countries in the region. In addition to the attacks on ships, there are suspicions that the Houthis have been involved in damage to submarine communications cables. This damage – to what is categorised as critical infrastructure – could represent a significant cost to the EU and other economies. Following calls by the European �Ϸ��վ and Council, the European Commission has recently adopted a recommendation on the security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructures.

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Briefing - Innovative technologies in the development of geothermal energy in Europe - 01-12-2023

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Innovative technologies in the field of geothermal energy focus on three areas: (i) resource assessment, (ii) resource development, and (iii) resource utilisation and management for electricity, heat supply and mineral extraction (lithium). They include increased electric power system efficiency, novel and optimised drilling technologies, underground thermal energy storage, new exploration methods, closed loops, smart systems, and 3D models. Advanced plants and technologies include ultra-deep geothermal systems, enhanced geothermal systems, advanced geothermal systems, supercritical geothermal systems. They allow access to vast geothermal resources, which would otherwise remain largely unexploited. Advanced geothermal systems have ongoing commercially viable projects in the US and Europe. Ground source geothermal heating and cooling is a well-established technology, which is currently experiencing the opening of new markets and continuous growth. Geothermal heat pumps are among the most-performant energy-efficient technologies to transfer heat from/to the ground for heating and cooling buildings. Innovation focus here is on new materials and investment costs reduction.

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Uuring - The design of the European electricity market - Current proposals and ways ahead - 28-09-2023

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

The proposed reform of the electricity market design maintains crucial elements of the existing system to ensure continued efficient operation. The impact that changing the rules on longer-term contracts will have on consumer prices and investment will depend on the concrete language of proposed legislation as well as its ultimate implementation. Overall, neither the expected mode of impact of individual reform elements, let alone their interaction, is clearly spelled out by the legislators. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).

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Briefing - EU energy partnerships: Norway - 27-09-2023

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, EU Member States have made serious efforts to reduce their dependence on Russian energy imports. To broaden the range of energy suppliers, the European Commission and the Member States' national governments have signed new agreements with non-EU countries and strengthened their pledges with existing partners. Norway is the world's fifth largest oil and third largest natural gas exporter, accounting for 2 % of global crude oil production and 3 % of global natural gas production. Norway covers 92 % of its electricity generation with renewable energy (hydropower) and is highly electrified. The government is investing heavily in energy research and innovation to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement by 2030. Norway is part of the European Economic Area. In June 2022, the EU and Norway signed a joint statement pledging to step up their cooperation in order to secure their energy independence and improve the EU's resilience. The statement focuses on gas supply from Norway to the Member States and on developing cooperation on renewable energy, carbon capture research, and hydrogen.

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Briefing - EU energy partnerships: Saudi Arabia - 27-09-2023

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, EU Member States have made serious efforts to reduce their dependence on Russian energy imports. To broaden the range of energy suppliers, the European Commission and EU national governments have signed new agreements with non-EU countries and strengthened their pledges with existing partners. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The economy of Saudi Arabia is the largest of all the GCC countries. It is dominated by petroleum, of which the country is by far the largest producer within OPEC. The country is among the top three petroleum producers in the world (the other two being the US and the Russian Federation) and is the largest exporter of crude oil in the world. It exports mainly to non-EU countries (China, Japan, India, and the US). Saudi Arabia's petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87 % of budget revenues, 42 % of gross domestic product (GDP), and 90 % of export earnings. By 2030, the Saudi government is planning to replace crude oil, fuel oil, and diesel with natural gas and renewable energy for power generation. This would likely increase natural gas demand and investment in natural gas supply for a number of years. In February 2022, the EU-GCC Joint Cooperation Committee endorsed a joint cooperation programme for the 2022 2027 period, aiming to enhance the partnership between the EU and the GCC. Later, on 18 May 2022, the European Commission published a communication on a strategic partnership with the Gulf.

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Briefing - Energy poverty in the EU - 18-09-2023

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In 2022, over 41 million Europeans were unable to keep their homes adequately warm. Energy poverty is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, considered to be caused by a combination of low income, high energy expenses, and poor energy efficiency in buildings. The EU has been addressing this issue in various legislative and non-legislative initiatives, most recently in the context of its climate policies and energy transition, as well as the energy crisis. The Gas and Electricity Directives ensure the protection of vulnerable consumers, and the Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency of Buildings Directives require measures to alleviate energy poverty alongside efficiency efforts. The 'renovation wave' initiative under the European Green Deal aims to boost structural renovation in private and public buildings, while the Social Climate Fund includes households in energy poverty among its main beneficiaries. The Social Climate Fund regulation and the revised Energy Efficiency Directive define energy poverty as a household's lack of access to essential energy services, such as heating, hot water, cooling, lighting and energy to power appliances. The 2020 European Commission recommendation on the topic provides a set of indicators relating, for instance, to the inability to keep a home adequately warm, arrears on utility bills, and a high share of income spent on energy bills. A number of possible policy options exist to address energy poverty under energy policy, social policy, or a mix of various regulatory solutions. Specific measures range from price regulation and tax breaks, to limits on disconnection, to social tariffs, energy efficiency improvements, and energy savings. Against the backdrop of security of energy supply concerns, high energy prices, and the ongoing EU transition to climate neutrality, the issue of energy poverty will be a crucial one in the months and years to come. This is an update of a briefing published in July 2022.

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Briefing - EU Energy Platform: Facilitating joint purchases of gas - 11-07-2023

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 22:00:00 GMT

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU took immediate action to stem rising energy prices and secure energy supply to its Member States. In its communication on the REPowerEU plan from March 2022, the European Commission proposed that the Member States use joint purchasing, collecting of orders and matching of supply and demand to support gas storage refilling operations. The Commission also proposed a 'joint European platform' to lead bilateral negotiations with major gas producers. Accordingly, the EU Energy Platform was established on 7 April 2022, initially on the basis of a European Council mandate. The legal basis for the platform is Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2576 of December 2022, which lays down the rules for the joint purchasing mechanism. The latter is to remain in operation for 1 year as of the moment the document enters into force and the service provider in charge of the joint purchasing mechanism is selected. The EU Energy Platform aims to ensure security of supply by purchasing natural gas, LNG and hydrogen for the Member States jointly and at affordable prices, after aggregating their demand (at least 15 % of the Member States' storage filling obligations are subject to demand aggregation). Once a Member State submits a demand, it is under no obligation to actually purchase gas; from that moment on it is for energy companies – from within the EU and the EU Energy Community – to negotiate and make business decisions. Natural gas and LNG demand from these companies is aggregated and then matched with reliable EU or non-EU sellers. This happens through AggregateEU – a demand aggregation and joint purchasing service operated by a service provider chosen by the Commission based on predefined criteria. The EU Energy Platform is also in charge of the outreach to international suppliers with a view to diversifying gas supplies. The evolution of the platform will depend on the political will and readiness of the Member States to pool a larger part of EU gas demand. Major gas-consuming countries in particular would have to be convinced to give away their privileged market access in order to build a common and effective mechanism. In the long run, the platform could shift its focus towards hydrogen procurement and distribution to accelerate the energy transition towards renewable sources.

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Lühitutvustus - Research for REGI Committee - The impact of the gas supply crisis on the Just Transition Plans - 20-06-2023

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 22:00:00 GMT

This At a glance note summarises the study Tproviding information on the current and potential impact of the gas supply crisis on the Just Transition Plans (JTPs). The evidence is based on the analysis of EU gas and energy supply dependencies, trade linkages with Russia, the general EU’s policy framework, Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), REPowerEU plan and the investigation of six case studies. It concludes with specified policy recommendations reflecting the implemen tation of the JTM, the JTPs in the light of risks of the energy crisis.

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Uuring - A preparedness plan for Europe: Addressing food, energy and technological security - 23-05-2023

Mon, 22 May 2023 22:00:00 GMT

The current situation in Ukraine has led to severe supply chain disruptions, contributing to a sharp increase in food and commodity prices globally and the limitation of fossil fuel imports from Russia to the EU. Moreover, to end Europe's dependence on semiconductor suppliers from Asian countries, it is necessary to take immediate action of a structural nature, involving all EU Member States and all participants in regional supply markets. The overall aim of this study was to identify drivers of and barriers to building up open strategic autonomy at EU level, before recommending coordinated solutions and addressing supply chain resilience in four critical areas: food security, energy security, semiconductors and satellite communications. This research seeks to contribute to the European �Ϸ��վ's future work by providing insights into how to protect the European agricultural sector, ensure energy security and the technological sovereignty of semiconductor production, and improve satellite communications.

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Uuring - Research for REGI Committee - The impact of the gas supply crisis on the Just Transition Plans. - 28-04-2023

Mon, 01 May 2023 22:00:00 GMT

The project provides information on the current and potential impact of the gas supply crisis on the Just Transition Plans (JTPs). The evidence is based on the analysis of EU gas and energy supply dependencies, trade linkages with Russia, the general EU’s policy framework, Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), REPowerEU plan and the investigation of six case studies. It concludes with specified policy recommendations reflecting the implemen¬tation of the JTM, the JTPs in the light of risks of the energy crisis.

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Lühitutvustus - Plenary round-up – April 2023 - 21-04-2023

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 22:00:00 GMT

Highlights of the April plenary session included debates on the need for an EU strategy on relations with China and on children forcibly deported from Ukraine. Other debates addressed: energy storage; labour mobility and the social rights of striking non-EU lorry drivers; adoption of the cyber-package proposals; a digital euro; and Dieselgate (use of defeat devices in cars to disarm pollution control systems). Members also held debates on: a possible EU global health strategy; universal decriminalisation of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda; the IPCC report on climate change; and the EU action plan against trafficking in cultural goods. Following a statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, Members discussed the situation in Peru. Commissioner Johannes Hahn made statements on the need for European solidarity in saving lives in the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy, as well as on EU relations with Iraq. The President of the European �Ϸ��վ, Roberta Metsola, made a statement on the 80th anniversary of the Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, was also present, participating in the latest 'This is Europe' debate.

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Briefing - Four challenges of the energy crisis for the EU's strategic autonomy - 20-04-2023

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 08:20:25 GMT

That the EU imports almost 60 % of its energy shows that real EU strategic autonomy in energy is far from achieved. The current energy crisis poses a risk to all four EU energy policy objectives. Crisis in the energy market is causing public and private debt and inflation, which risks destabilizing the European energy market. While diversifying gas imports away from Russia reduces dependency on one big supplier, reliance on several other third countries implies new supply risks. Although high fossil fuel prices may accelerate the transition towards renewable energy, short-term investment in alternative fossil fuels and energy price caps risk diluting incentives for the green transition. Finally, improved cross-border energy network connectivity is susceptible to the yet untested risk of a lack of solidarity between Member States in the event of a structural supply crisis. Now that energy policy is increasingly determined by geopolitics, mitigating these risks is essential. So far, the EU has managed these four challenges quite well, although concerns remain. Diversification of supply, filling gas storage and a relatively mild winter have limited the impact of the energy crisis. Initially, most responses to the crisis came from national governments, safeguarding their national strategic autonomy in energy matters. Member States took the lead with short-term measures to diversify supply and mitigate the effect of rising prices, mostly according to national energy priorities. The EU has also reacted swiftly, with a range of strategies and practical measures designed to increase coherence and EU strategic autonomy. The measures focus both on the internal autonomy of a functioning and well connected internal market and on the external autonomy of supply security in a global market. One of the biggest challenges will be to enhance strategic autonomy for renewable energy, for instance by producing renewables in the EU, while managing dependence on imports of the necessary raw materials.

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Lühitutvustus - EU-Azerbaijan relations - 08-03-2023

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:56:09 GMT

The EU–Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), in force since 1999, sets the framework for bilateral relations. Azerbaijan, considered an authoritarian regime, is an important energy supplier to the EU. Recently, the EU has boosted its role as a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan. �Ϸ��վ is due to discuss an own-initiative report on EU-Azerbaijan relations during the March I plenary session.

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Lühitutvustus - Question Time: How to ensure energy security in the EU in 2023 - 08-03-2023

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:18:09 GMT

The 2022 energy crisis following Russia's aggression against Ukraine brought about challenges relating to energy security and affordability in the EU. Thanks to several measures taken last year, energy shortages have so far been avoided. However, the EU must now prepare for next winter, when it might be more difficult to ensure sufficient gas storage. Members of the European �Ϸ��վ will have the possibility to question the European Commission on this topic at 'question time' during the March I plenary session.

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Briefing - Reforming the EU electricity market - 01-03-2023

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 23:00:00 GMT

The energy crisis of 2022 has brought new challenges for the EU electricity market. Concerns over very high prices (driven in part by their coupling with gas prices), security of energy supply, and the need to increase decarbonisation have sparked discussions on the need to redesign the EU's electricity market. The EU has already taken a number of short-term measures to contain the energy crisis. The REPowerEU plan of May 2022 was introduced to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports, diversify supplies, boost energy savings and accelerate the clean energy transition. Other measures, focusing more specifically on electricity, included a Council regulation of October 2022 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices, which introduced electricity demand reduction targets and set a revenue cap on inframarginal electricity producers, i.e. those producing electricity below the cost of the most expensive 'marginal' fuel source. More long-term structural electricity market reform aims to make the market more resilient, contain excessive price volatility and ensure secure energy supplies, especially from clean sources. The reform is expected to focus on the following areas: making electricity bills less dependent on short-term fossil fuel prices, e.g. by reducing the role of gas in short-term markets; pricing inframarginal technologies on the basis of their true production costs; boosting the role of renewables; better protecting consumers against price volatility and empowering them to produce and share electricity; and improving market transparency, surveillance and integrity. There is also an ongoing discussion as to whether the current merit order system based on marginal pricing, effectively responsible for coupling electricity prices with gas prices, should be reformed. The Commission is expected to present its legislative proposal on the electricity market reform in mid-March 2023.

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Briefing - EU energy security and the war in Ukraine: From sprint to marathon - 21-02-2023

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 23:00:00 GMT

The European Union acted decisively and unanimously in condemning the brutal war and its immense human cost, imposing sanctions on Russia and supporting Ukraine. Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 also triggered concern over the EU's energy security. Throughout 2022, Europe showed determination to fill gas storage facilities and find additional gas supplies elsewhere. During the winter of 2022/2023, the EU has fared better than initially feared. Gas demand has been lower than in previous years thanks to EU efforts to save energy, and a major increase in shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) helped buffer the reduction of supplies from Russia. But this should not leave any room for complacency. Part of the EU's success is down to favourable circumstances such as warmer than usual weather in the winter of 2022/2023 and lower LNG demand in China as a consequence of COVID-related restrictions, and it is not clear yet how enduring the improvements in energy efficiency will be. The prospects for next winter are highly uncertain, given the inherent difficulty in predicting metereological conditions or the state of the global economy, as well as the possibility of a complete interruption of fossil fuel supplies from Russia, which could hamper the ability of storage sites to fill over the summer period. While actions taken so far have managed to buffer the immediate impact of the war, the harder reality is that the EU remains dependent on outside suppliers for its energy security. In 2023, the EU will have to shift its focus from crisis response mode to a long-term vision of how it wants to manage its energy security – from sprint to marathon. This includes the supply of raw materials, renewables manufacturing, increased interconnections, and the future of joint energy purchasing. High inflation and the growing cost of capital could make it harder for new renewable investments to get off the ground, and the EU remains far from meeting some of its more ambitious goals in this respect.

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Briefing - EU-US climate and energy relations in light of the Inflation Reduction Act - 19-01-2023

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 23:00:00 GMT

The war in Ukraine has put Europe's dependence on energy imports under the spotlight. The United States (US) has stepped in and pledged to increase its exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe. While this helps address the shortfall in energy imports from Russia in the short term, it raises the question as to how far the EU wants to build an energy partnership with the US. Closely intertwined with the energy challenge is the fight against climate change. With the European Union (EU) committing to more ambitious policies within the framework of the Green Deal, it has an interest in international partners also raising their level of ambition. Here, too, the US is a key partner. As one of the world's largest CO2 emitters, the US also plays a key role in bringing the world closer to reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement. The US Inflation Reduction Act, a huge investment bill pouring billions of dollars into the American economy by favouring US-made clean energy and technology, brings these considerations together. The EU will have to consider how to integrate its climate, energy and industrial policies, so as to contribute towards climate goals and energy security while at the same time retaining the global competitiveness of its economy. This, in turn, has far-reaching repercussions for related policy areas such as international trade, as well as for the ongoing debate over the future of the EU's budget and its macroeconomic governance framework.

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Lühitutvustus - Generators of Hope: Delivering energy equipment to Ukraine for the winter ahead - 09-12-2022

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 23:00:00 GMT

On 23 November 2022, the European �Ϸ��վ partnered with Eurocities to launch the 'Generators of Hope' campaign in order to provide Ukraine with energy equipment for the winter. Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure temporarily left around 10 million Ukrainians without electricity, while temperatures have already dropped below zero. The campaign will facilitate city-to-city donations of power generators, transformers and other devices, sent with the logistical support of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

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