European Parliament approves framework for EU’s future energy strategy
Monday, 09 February 2009 11:54 | 
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On 3 February a large majority of MEPs adopted a report endorsing the ‘Second Strategic Energy Review’, the latter being a comprehensive list of recommendations for future EU energy policy.
The report which was drawn up by French MEP Anne Laperrouze, received 406 votes in favour, 168 against and 87 abstentions, and paves the way for the Review to be discussed at the European Council on 19-20 March, where it is scheduled to be on the agenda. It specifically calls on the Czech EU Presidency and the European Commission to present the summit with a ‘new ambitious and far-sighted diversification plan’.
As part of the report the Parliament has also called on the EU’s heads of states to adopt new and tougher climate targets for 2050. These (as recently reported here) include an 80% overall emission reduction, a 60% increase in the share of renewable energy and a 35% increase in energy efficiency in this time. MEPs are also urging Council to make the 20% target increase in energy efficiency by 2020 legally binding, reasoning that energy saving is ‘the most effective and cost-efficient way of improving energy security’.
In terms of renewable energy, the report proposes a plan for an offshore network for wind installations in the North Sea. It also welcomes the idea of linking such a power source to a European supergrid, which would link and transport renewable energy around Europe.
Mrs Laparrouze explained that ‘In the short term, we must immediately develop renewable energy and energy efficiency, which also creates employment, within the framework of the economic plan presented by the European Commission’.
The issue of nuclear energy is also raised in the Review, with Parliament stating nuclear power should play an important role in diversifying energy and urges the Commission to draw up a ‘specific road map’, for its implementation. MEPs rejected an amendment which sought to phase out nuclear power, and have instead insisted that its research and development should take place at the ‘highest technologically possible level of safety’.
In other aspects of the vote, MEPs also supported recommendations outlined in the review made in light of the recent Russia-Ukraine gas dispute. Mandatory emergency action plans should be implemented according to proposals, while there should be a stronger, more binding trilateral agreement between the EU, Russia and Ukraine as well as more grid interconnection.
The report which was drawn up by French MEP Anne Laperrouze, received 406 votes in favour, 168 against and 87 abstentions, and paves the way for the Review to be discussed at the European Council on 19-20 March, where it is scheduled to be on the agenda. It specifically calls on the Czech EU Presidency and the European Commission to present the summit with a ‘new ambitious and far-sighted diversification plan’.
As part of the report the Parliament has also called on the EU’s heads of states to adopt new and tougher climate targets for 2050. These (as recently reported here) include an 80% overall emission reduction, a 60% increase in the share of renewable energy and a 35% increase in energy efficiency in this time. MEPs are also urging Council to make the 20% target increase in energy efficiency by 2020 legally binding, reasoning that energy saving is ‘the most effective and cost-efficient way of improving energy security’.
In terms of renewable energy, the report proposes a plan for an offshore network for wind installations in the North Sea. It also welcomes the idea of linking such a power source to a European supergrid, which would link and transport renewable energy around Europe.
Mrs Laparrouze explained that ‘In the short term, we must immediately develop renewable energy and energy efficiency, which also creates employment, within the framework of the economic plan presented by the European Commission’.
The issue of nuclear energy is also raised in the Review, with Parliament stating nuclear power should play an important role in diversifying energy and urges the Commission to draw up a ‘specific road map’, for its implementation. MEPs rejected an amendment which sought to phase out nuclear power, and have instead insisted that its research and development should take place at the ‘highest technologically possible level of safety’.
In other aspects of the vote, MEPs also supported recommendations outlined in the review made in light of the recent Russia-Ukraine gas dispute. Mandatory emergency action plans should be implemented according to proposals, while there should be a stronger, more binding trilateral agreement between the EU, Russia and Ukraine as well as more grid interconnection.
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