Since the Russian aggression against Ukraine began on 24 February this year, and due to Russia using energy as an instrument of war, the EU, including the CEE countries, is de facto in a state of economic warfare with Russia, and energy is one of its key areas. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is also one of the major factors causing probably the most serious energy crisis in Europe since the Second World War, which will also substantially a‑ect the Central and South-East European economies. As both the war and the crisis are still ongoing, it is dicult to predict their exact depth and to map all the consequences for both the countries of the region and the EU as a whole. At the same time, it is already apparent that they are leading to profound changes in the raw materials and energy markets, provoking changes in the energy balances of individual countries, and finally transforming trade and infrastructure links. The upcoming winter, and also the next one, will be a serious challenge and stress test for each of the CEE and SEE countries. Despite the measures taken by all countries to prepare for and minimise the negative e‑ects of the crisis, they are vulnerable to further deterioration in the availability of natural resources, increases in energy prices, and other market disruptions. These vulnerabilities can be seen, for example, in the performance of regional economies, but also in the emergence of social protests and changes in the political scene. Consequently, EU support and action should strive to ensure solidarity and assistance to counteract the most serious e‑ects of the crisis [...]
CEEP welcomes the publication by the European Commission of the detailed RePowerEU plan to make the EU independent from Russian fossil fuels. We strongly share this goal as it has been advocated by CEEP and its members for a long time. This goal is becoming even more urgent today, viewed in the context of continued Russian aggression on Ukraine. CEE countries and their companies have for years pointed out the dangers associated with the EU's growing dependence on gas and oil imports from Russia and risks related to the continued dominance of Russian companies, including Gazprom, in the EU and individual Member States' markets. CEE countries have also sought for years to counter these threats. CEEP's statement [...]
A new regional task force under the EU Energy Platform has been formally launched today, involving 9 EU countries (Austria, Czechia, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia) from Central-Eastern Europe, as well as Ukraine and Moldova. It is the second such structure, following the South-East Europe regional group set up at the end of April. The initiative came after several EU countries of the region saw important reductions in Russian gas exports to their markets in June. The task force will concentrate on implementing the REPowerEU plan in the region. The aim is to reduce dependency on Russian fossil fuels, fill storage ahead of next winter and further accelerate the decarbonisation of the energy sector. The task force will also support and coordinate the implementation of the joint preparedness plans in the region, including international purchase, storage and interconnections – thus contributing to the security of supply in the region, and beyond. Source: European [...]
The report offers a comprehensive look at our activities during 2021 with four key topics highlighted: fair transition, energy system integration and the role of hydrogen, EU emission trading system and offshore wind energy. "The energy transition is at the heart of the EU energy and climate policies but the ongoing energy crisis has continued from 2021 into 2022 and we are now facing energy prices soaring even further and supply shocks even deeper. These remind us that the EU remains too reliant on the imported fossil fuels while their supply routes are clearly not diversified enough. Energy security, as one of the five dimensions of the EU energy union, should therefore become a first priority, especially in the Central European region which has been seriously affected by supply disruptions of the past, as it experiences them anew in 2022.wrote Mr Leszek Jesień, Chairman of the Board of Directors at CEEP in a message included in the report. Download the CEEP’s 2021 annual [...]
The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is one of the main pillars of EU’s climate and energy policy and its revision is crucial to the Fit for 55 Package, adopted by the European Commission (EC) in July 2021. In this paper, ERCST and CEEP provide an overview of the size and functioning of the funding mechanisms which are part of the revised EU ETS and the Fit for 55 Package, i.e., the Social Climate Fund. It also puts forward some recommendations in light of the ongoing legislative process. Finally, it compares the ENVI draft report on the ETS funding mechanisms with the EC proposal providing a summary of the current and upcoming political debate. The Environmental Council will meet on 28th June, aiming to achieve a Council position on the Fit for 55 Package, including the EU ETS Directive, while the European Parliament will vote its position in June. The beginning of trilogue negotiations between Parliament and Council under the supervision of the EC is envisaged for September. Download our report [...]
We represent the widely understood Central Europe energy sector (electricity generation, distribution and transmission, renewables, gas, oil, heat generation and distribution, chemical industries, etc.), universities and scientific institutions.
