The sixth edition of the CEEP Energy Summit gathered in Tallinn on the 19th and 20th of September, distinguished and knowledgeable group of decision-makers to discuss the major challenges and opportunities in the field of energy policy in EU-11 countries. CEEP members – who comprise EU-11 leading energy and energy-intensive companies –alike external guests, entered into a comprehensive dialogue with the European Commission’s Vice-President in charge of Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič. Through the Tallinn Memorandum, which reflects the key issues of the discussion and expectations of the energy and intensive-energy industries, CEEP members want to underline the “need for strengthening the regional cooperation in the shaping of the EU energy policy. Consultation and cooperation at the regional level are necessary to ensure that national choices regarding energy policy do not affect the stability of neighbouring state’s energy systems or are not contrary to the Energy Union objectives”. According to the participants, the cooperation should not stop at regional level: “we believe that cooperation of European Institutions with industries and utilities is crucial in the process of establishment of a viable business model which will accommodate public policy targets and internal market rules”. After the event, the new chairman of the Board of Directors of CEEP, Jesień Leszek, declared: “the debate reflected on the overall state of play of the Energy Union, as it is the year of its implementation, with the fundamental legislative package - Clean Energy, including Governance of the Energy Union, which is ongoing and needs a real and truth debate. The more, interconnectivity, synchronisation, the implementation of North-South Corridor, as well as BEMIP initiative were brought [...]
A fundamental transformation of Europe’s energy sector is needed in order to provide EU Member States with secure and affordable energy. This is the main conclusion of the ‘Completing Europe – from the North–South Corridor to the energy, transportation and telecommunications union’ debate that took place on April the 21st in Katowice (Poland). Panellists representing both European energy markets and public institutions expressed their support for the North–South Corridor proposal from the recently-published Central Europe Energy Partners (CEEP) and Atlantic Council report. The report’s main recommendation is to create an integrated set of energy, transportation and digital links across Central Europe. As perceived by CEEP and the Atlantic Council, the network should stretch from the Baltic to the Adriatic and Black Seas. Its energy component features a gas pipeline from Świnoujscie (Poland) and Klaipeda (Lithuania) to Krk Island (Croatia), with proper LNG facilities. Other key energy projects include a set of Balkan interconnectors that reach into Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and other nations, as well as the East–West Corridor Gas line that stretches from Germany through Poland and into Ukraine. The North–South Corridor is needed, not only for the sake of energy security, but also for diversified energy sources at affordable prices. “As the Central Europe Energy Partners, we understand that access to competitively priced energy is one of key drivers of the economic growth. With both energy producers and energy-intensive industries on board of our organization, we work hard to empower consumers by providing them with choice and creating flexibility to manage demand and supply. The network of energy lines, transportation routes and telecommunication links that we envision stretches [...]
Prof. Jerzy Buzek, Chairman of the ITRE Committee (EP) spoke with Jakub Przyborowicz, CEEP’s co-ordinator of European Institutions’ Affairs, about his vision on the Energy Union, how to accomplish it, what should be the priorities for the coming months and what does this project mean for the industry. Jakub Przyborowicz (JP): Why do we need an Energy Union? Jerzy Buzek (JB): Secure, cheaper and cleaner energy is a challenge which no EU Member State is capable of solving separately. This is why European countries agreed on a common energy policy almost ten years ago. Today, its creation still leaves a lot to be desired.What we need is a political umbrella embracing our energy and climate policy, above all the sectors and players. This is the role I expected of the European Energy Community which I proposed as President of the European Parliament, together with Jacques Delors, in May 2010. Energy Union is a new brand of that initiative. At the same time, whilst solving our energy challenges, the Union can become a strong driver of competitiveness, economic growth, and jobs. (JP): How to accomplish it? (JB): First of all, by completing the Internal Energy Market. This means full enforcement of all the relevant laws by EU Member States. The vast majority have been waiting on the table for a long time in the form of the Third Energy Package. This is the software of the market, its “soul”. However, the market also needs a “body”, which is the hardware –, infrastructure: interconnections, generation, transmission, distribution and storage capacity, as well as flexibility mechanisms for integrating energy from renewable sources. The [...]
In a few words
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.
