Negotiators from the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU have reached an ambitious agreement on the governance of the Energy Union.
The new agreement places responsibility for the governance of the Energy Union with member states, and aims to ensure access to secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy and enable Europe to become a world leader in renewables.
The system also aims to build trust and consensus between member states on energy and climate matters. The new agreement means that four out of eight legislative proposals which form the 2016 Clean Energy for All Europeans package have now been agreed, and these proposals are complemented by revisions to the Emissions Trading System and other regulations which were agreed earlier this year.
What does the agreement mean for governance of the Energy Union?
The fundamental element of the agreement is a call for European member states to prepare a national energy and climate plan for the period 2021-2030, while also taking into account the need for a long-term strategy. National plans will be prepared throughout the EU, and the commission will make recommendations to ensure that the bloc’s climate and energy targets for 2030 are met efficiently and effectively.
The agreement also establishes a mechanism which will ensure the collective attainment of EU renewable energy and efficiency targets, and mandates a clear and transparent regulatory framework for dialogue with civil society on matters relating to the Energy Union.
How has the commission reacted to the deal?
European Commission Vice President for the Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič, called the new agreement the “cornerstone” of implementing the Energy Union. The deal, he said, “will enhance transparency for the benefit of all actors and investors, in particular. It will simplify monitoring and reporting of obligations under the Energy Union, prioritizing quality over quantity. And it will help us deliver on promises in the field of energy, climate and beyond.”
Šefčovič added that he now anticipates the preparation of member states’ draft energy and climate plans, which must be prepared by the end of the year: “They [will] send a strong signal to investors who need clarity and predictability. The Energy Union is on track, going from strength to strength.”
