Scotland Europa - Energy policy

Energy

With the past five years having seen climate change and energy become firmly established as political priorities for the EU, the next five aim to fully integrate climate and energy goals into a holistic, sustainable economic model; the eco‐efficient economy. This integrated approach recognises that several of the key challenges facing the EU – including economic downturn, unemployment rates, energy supply security and global warming – can be addressed simultaneously with common solutions.

We provide monitoring and intelligence on key energy policy areas for our members, in addition to working to ensure EU policy recognises and supports the potential for Scotland to contribute to a secure and sustainable energy supply.

The following policies and initiatives will be the main focus of our work with Members in 2010:

• The development of two key strategic documents; an EU Energy Action Plan for the period 2010-2014 and an EU roadmap for a 2050 energy vision.
• Initiatives to develop Europe’s low carbon and efficient technology sector, including the elaboration and financing of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan. Of particular interest
  for Scotland and our Members will be the launch of Industrial Initiatives on offshore wind energy; the electricity grid; carbon capture and storage (CCS); and a planned “Smart Cities” scheme.
• The promotion of Scotland’s expertise in wave and tidal energies. We hope to work with Members who have an interest in the area to ensure wave and tidal energies feature in the EU’s 2050 energy vision.
• Measures on energy infrastructure, which is set to be a key issue on the EU energy policy agenda over the coming years. These are likely to include an EU energy security and infrastructure instrument, development of the offshore wind network and measures to speed up the deployment of smart grids.
• Energy efficiency is expected to have greater prominence on the EU energy policy agenda over the coming years, including the publication of a revised EU Action Plan for Energy Efficiency.
• Following adoption of the new EU Renewable Energy Directive, the emphasis for the EU will now be ensuring that the Directive is properly implemented and the political target for increased renewable energy use in the EU (20% by 2020) is met. We will continue to work with our Members on issues around the promotion of Scotland's potential to contribute to EU renewable energy goals.
  

For more information contact: Karen Burt

Further information:

European Commission – DG Energy pages on the Second Strategic Energy Review
European Commission – DG Energy pages on the energy market liberalisation
European Commission – DG Energy pages on energy efficiency 
European Commission – Energy for a changing world
Europe’s Energy Portal