Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-08-Speech-2-295"
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"en.20050308.23.2-295"2
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".
The enlarged EU depends on imported energy for 50% of its needs and is increasingly dependent on external energy sources. By 2030, this dependency could grow to almost 70%, with 90% of oil and 80% of gas consumed coming from outside the EU. Imports of gas from Russia currently make up 26% of total gas consumption in the EU and the relevant figure for oil is 25%. In this respect it is important to know that Russia has always been a completely reliable energy supplier to the EU. The EU-Russia energy dialogue has established a good relationship in the energy field, and the Commission believes that Russia will be the most important and reliable energy supplier to the EU for the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding this, however, the Community needs to ensure diversity of supply and make maximum use of its own indigenous energy resources. Such a policy makes sense in terms of security of supply, sustainable development and the pursuit of our Lisbon objectives.
For these reasons the new Commission will be pursuing the following energy priorities: first, energy efficiency. A simple comparison of the way in which the different EU Member States have addressed energy efficiency will show the possibilities for energy savings, which will contribute significantly to meeting the EU’s Kyoto targets. It will also enhance our competitiveness. This spring I will present a Green Paper on energy efficiency, outlining the concrete measures to be taken at Community, national, regional and local level that will lead to those savings.
Second, supporting renewables: towards the end of this year the Commission will publish a communication on renewables, in particular assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of existing support mechanisms in the Member States. I will closely monitor the situation so that there is a clear move towards achieving by 2010 the target of 12% of the Union’s overall energy consumption coming from renewable sources.
Third, supporting clean coal: approximately one-third of EU electricity is produced from coal. If we wish to retain this, a major effort needs to be made to increase the efficiency of coal generation and to succeed in developing CO2 capture and storage. Europe should take a leading role in research in this area, and the Commission will be examining the possibility of a joint European project.
Finally, I should like to mention establishing and improving energy dialogues with a wide range of energy producers, consumers and transit countries. Enhanced dialogue between the EU and OPEC was recently agreed upon at the regular ministerial-level meeting. A dialogue with the Caspian countries will be pursued and the existing annual high-level meeting with Norway will be continued. In addition to this, and to ensure that these policies fully meet this challenge, it is clear that a wide public debate should take place on increasing EU external energy dependency. For this reason the Commission intends to adopt by the end of this year a new Green Paper on security of the EU energy supply, with the aim of promoting a large public debate. The input of the European Parliament during the preparation and follow-up of this Green Paper will be vital."@en1
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