Energy cooperation in the European Union
In the European Union, each member state is responsible for its own energy policy. However, internal cooperation within the EU, and the setting of energy-related objectives, has become more intense over the years, while the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon has established a more distinct legal framework for the Community’s energy policy.
The basic principles of energy policy in the EU are sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply, these objectives being congruent with Finland’s national objectives. Through these principles, the Union’s common energy policy aims to achieve competitive energy prices, secure the sufficient and undisturbed supply of energy, and reduce environmental impacts.
The aim is to promote the opening up of internal markets for gas and electricity and the efficient functioning of markets, and thereby ensure competitive prices. After lengthy negotiations, the third legislative package on the internal market for electricity and gas was presented in July 2009, including two directives and three regulations aiming at improvements in the functionality of the internal markets for electricity and natural gas. Another goal of the package is the separation of electricity and natural gas production and the operation of energy transmission systems. Furthermore, the legislative package fosters consumer rights.
In April 2009, a significant legislative package was presented on the EU’s climate and energy policy, entailing a so-called 20-20-20 objective which means that by 2020, 20 per cent of the EU’s energy consumption should be based on renewable sources, the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by 20 per cent, and energy efficiency enhanced by 20 per cent. Finland’s objective for the use of renewable energy was set at 38 per cent by 2020.
Enhancing the security of energy supply plays a key role in the EU’s energy policy. The directive concerning emergency oil stocks and the regulation on safeguarding security of the natural gas supply support this objective. Surveys related to the development of trans-European energy networks are financed within the framework of the TEN-E guidelines (Trans-European Energy Networks), thus improving energy sourcing. The energy dialogue between the EU and Russia is also significant in terms of security of energy supply.
Improving energy efficiency is crucial in the battle against climate change. Negotiations have recently been concluded on the legislative package on energy efficiency, including the Energy Labelling Directive for household appliances, the Directive on the energy performance of buildings, and the regulation on the labelling of car tyres with respect to energy efficiency. Moreover, the Commission is working on a new energy efficiency action plan.
The EU strives to promote research and development in the energy sector, particularly through framework programmes.
For a comprehensive overview of the EU’s energy policy, see the links below. Information on the enforcement of directives in Finland is available on this website under each topic in question.
European Commission/Energy (in English):
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/index_en.htm
Summaries of EU legislation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/energy/index_fi.htm
European Commission/nuclear energy (in English):
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/index_en.htm
News on EU energy policy in Finnish:
http://ec.europa.eu/news/energy/archives_fi.htm?Page=1
