The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, under the Estonian Presidency, found a common position on four legislative proposals of the Clean Energy for all Europeans package: Regulation on the internal electricity market, Regulation on governance of the Energy Union, Directive on the promotion of energy from renewable sources and Directive on common rules for the internal market in electricity. According to the EU representatives, outcome of the Energy Council is an important step towards implementing the Energy Union strategy and reaching the European Union's 2030 energy and climate goals. Agreed general approach on four legislative proposals enables the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament.[1]

The Clean Energy for all Europeans package was presented by the European Commission in November 2016 and aims to accelerate the EU’s clean energy transition, to keep the EU competitive and to provide a fair deal for consumers. It includes legislative proposals covering energy efficiency, renewable energy, design of the electricity market, security of electricity supply, governance rules for the Energy Union, eco-design, mobility and energy innovations.

The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council agreed its negotiating positions on these legislative proposals:

1)     Regulation on the internal electricity market aims at setting fundamental principles for well-functioning and integrated electricity markets, which allow non-discriminatory market access and empower consumers. In addition, the Regulation brings rules for cross-border exchange in electricity. Kadri Simon, Estonian Minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure said that effective response to new challenges, including digitalisations, grid integration of renewables and decentralization of energy generation, required adoption of new rules for the electricity market.

2)     Regulation on governance of the Energy Union is expected to ensure long-term policy coherence and stability in the climate and energy sector as well as better coordination of energy and climate policies between EU member states. Coherence in EU’s energy and climate policy will ensure stable and predictable investment climate. Proposed Regulation introduces an assessment of the need for increased interconnection capacity as well as new measures to facilitate the achievement of the interconnections targets. To ensure achievement of the 2030 renewable targets, the EU should adopt three benchmarks (for years 2023, 2025 and 2027) to track progress of both the EU and its member states. Proposed Regulation also requires member states to submit Integrated national energy and climate plans.

3)     Directive on the promotion of energy from renewable sources confirms the target of 27% renewable energy of EU’s overall energy consumption by 2030, adopted by the European Council in October 2014. Achievement of this binding target should be facilitated by newly established common framework for the promotion of energy from renewable sources, including rules on financial support, on self-consumption of renewable electricity, on renewable energy use in the heating and cooling and transport sectors as well as rules on regional cooperation between Member States and with third countries. In the transport sector, the renewables target for 2030 is set at 14% for each member state.

4)     Directive on common rules for the internal market in electricity aims at establishing common rules for the generation, transmission, distribution, storage and supply of electricity. Proposed Directive lays down rules on consumer empowerment and protection, on open access to the integrated market, and on third-party access to the transmission and distribution infrastructure. It also covers unbundling and national energy regulation. The Directive is expected to facilitate smooth transition towards a decarbonized energy system.

As regards the Clean Energy for all Citizens package, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council has already agreed its position on the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Regulation on Risk-Preparedness in the Electricity Sector. The work on the ACER Regulation is ongoing.

The gLAWcal Team

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[1] The decision-making process in the Council. Council of the European Union. Available at:< http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/decision-making/ >.