Special Advanced Courses :: VII International Symposium of E.S.I.Q.I.E.

Mines ParisTech, CEP-TEP, CNRS FRE 2861, 35 rue Saint Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France

Summary
European energy policy must pursue the objective of a sustainable, competitive and secure supply of energy.

Energy is essential for Europe to function. But the days of cheap energy for Europe seem to be over. The challenges of climate change, increasing import dependence and higher energy prices are faced by all EU members. Moreover the interdependence of EU Member States in energy, as in many other areas, is increasing.

Europe needs to act now, together, to deliver sustainable, secure and competitive energy. The new European Energy Policy needs to be ambitious, competitive and long-term – and to the benefit of all Europeans.

Energy accounts for 80% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the EU ; it is at the root of climate change and most air pollution. The EU is committed to addressing this - by reducing EU and worldwide greenhouse gas emissions at a global level to a level that would limit the global temperature increase to 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. However, current energy and transport policies would mean EU CO 2 emissions would increase by around 5% by 2030 and global emissions would rise by 55%. The present energy policies within the EU are not sustainable.

Europe is becoming increasingly dependent on imported hydrocarbons. Furthermore, price of fossil fuels is drastically increasing. This carries political and economic risks. The pressure on global energy resources is intense. The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects global demand for oil to grow by 41% by 2030. The risk of supply failure is growing.

In addition, the mechanisms to ensure solidarity between Member States in the event of an energy crisis are not yet in place and several Member States are largely or completely dependent on one single gas supplier.

At the same time, EU electricity demand is, on a business as usual scenario, rising by some 1.5% per year. Even with an effective energy efficiency policy, investment in generation alone over the next 25 years will be necessary in the order of € 900 billion. Predictability and effective internal gas and electricity markets are essential to enable the necessary long term investments to take place and for user prices to be competitive. These are not yet in place.

The EU is becoming increasingly exposed to the effects of price volatility and price rises on international energy markets and the consequences of the progressive concentration of hydrocarbons reserves in few hands.

Boosting investment, in particular in energy efficiency and renewable energy should create jobs, promoting innovation and the knowledge-based economy in the EU. The European Union is already the global leader in renewable technologies, accounting for a turnover of € 20 billion and employing 300 000 people .

At the same time, the social dimension of Europe 's energy policy needs to be taken into account throughout all stages of designing and implementing the individual measures.

The point of departure for a European energy policy is threefold: combating climate change, limiting the EU's external vulnerability to imported hydrocarbons, and promoting growth and jobs, thereby providing secure and affordable energy to consumers.

Source – European Environment Agency. Other data are European Commission unless otherwise stated

European Renewable Energy Council “Renewable Energy Targets for Europe : 20% by 2020”.