Clean Energy package is top of the agenda for EU Energy Council

The European Commission’s ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ package is the main theme of today’s meeting of the European Energy Council, which brings together EU energy ministers, European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, and European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Cañete. The Council members will focus in particular on the package’s proposals for a revised Energy Efficiency Directive and a revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The aim of today’s discussions is to agree on a general approach so that negotiations with the European Parliament on these proposals can begin as soon as possible. The Energy Council will also adopt the new Regulation on energy efficiency labelling for products, which will mean consumers are better informed about how much energy is used by the appliances they buy .The Ministers will also be updated on the progress of the proposals for the Governance of the Energy Union, a revised Renewable Energy Directive, and a revised Regulation on the European electricity market.  The day’s discussions will be followed by a press conference at 17.00 CET, which can be watched live.

Energy efficiency is the most important issue for today’s discussions: EU Energy Ministers will debate the Commission’s proposals for the energy efficiency target to be achieved by EU countries by 2030. The Ministers will seek to agree on the level of this target, its nature and measures to meet it. The discussions on the revised Energy Performance of Buildings legislation will include such aspects as the development of charging points for electric vehicles in the buildings and the use of renewable energy in energy-efficient buildings. Ministers will also focus on how electricity interconnections are bringing EU countries’ energy markets closer together.

The members of the Council will also hear updates on the EU’s relations with non-EU countries and organisations in the area of energy. In addition, there will be presentations on the Commission’s request for a mandate from EU countries to negotiate on their behalf with Russia over the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. Finally, the energy policy priorities and work programme of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU, which is due to begin on 1 July, will be presented.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficient products

Renewable energy

International cooperation

‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ package

Source: European Commission – Energy News
Clean Energy package is top of the agenda for EU Energy Council