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dpa
Brussels
Higher green energy and energy efficiency targets are on the horizon, according to an agreement by European Union ministers in charge of energy policy.
The draft bill, which still needs to be negotiated with the European Parliament, would raise the binding target for energy from renewable sources in the overall energy mix to 40% by 2030, up from the current goal of 32% by that year, according to a press statement published on Monday.
EU countries would commit themselves to reducing end-user energy consumption by 36% by 2030 as part of the agreement.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck praised the agreement on the sidelines of the ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.
If the draft legislation was to enter into force, the EU would “have an energy and climate protection reform package the likes of which Europe has not seen for a long time,” Habeck said.
The agreement comes after Russia’s recent cuts in gas supply have added urgency to the EU’s drive to reduce fossil fuel imports, alongside concerns about climate change.
“Decarbonising our energy systems through a massive deployment of renewable energies and significant efforts in energy savings is essential to achieve our climate objectives,” Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French minister for energy transition, said in a statement.
“It will also help us to reduce our dependence on Russia for energy, in the context of the war in Ukraine”, said Pannier-Runacher.
Energy ministers also dealt with a new regulation that requires EU countries to fill up their gas storage to at least 80% before the coming winter and 90% the year thereafter. Whether the storage targets will be met remains unclear.
Russia has now reduced its gas deliveries to 12 EU countries since it began invading Ukraine about 4 months ago, according to the European Commission.
Gas deliveries from Russia to the EU have fallen by half compared to the same period last year, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said as she arrived at the meeting in Luxembourg on Monday morning.
Germany, which is suffering supply cuts, is counting on solidarity in dealing with the current gas crisis, Habeck said.
“If Germany is now trying to fill up its storage facilities, it is not only to supply Germany,” Habeck said, but to enable mutual support for neighbouring countries like the Czech Republic and Austria should the situation worsen in the months ahead.
“A supply crisis in one country leads to an economic crisis in another, we are committed and dependent on solidarity here,” Habeck said.
Habeck stressed that Germany’s current gas needs are met and storage facilities are filling up, albeit at a slower rate than previously.
Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler called for faster joint gas purchases as the landlocked country is struggling to find alternative gas supplies on its own.
Energy and related emissions will also be on the agenda when EU environment ministers convene in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Brussels
Higher green energy and energy efficiency targets are on the horizon, according to an agreement by European Union ministers in charge of energy policy.
The draft bill, which still needs to be negotiated with the European Parliament, would raise the binding target for energy from renewable sources in the overall energy mix to 40% by 2030, up from the current goal of 32% by that year, according to a press statement published on Monday.
EU countries would commit themselves to reducing end-user energy consumption by 36% by 2030 as part of the agreement.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck praised the agreement on the sidelines of the ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg.
If the draft legislation was to enter into force, the EU would “have an energy and climate protection reform package the likes of which Europe has not seen for a long time,” Habeck said.
The agreement comes after Russia’s recent cuts in gas supply have added urgency to the EU’s drive to reduce fossil fuel imports, alongside concerns about climate change.
“Decarbonising our energy systems through a massive deployment of renewable energies and significant efforts in energy savings is essential to achieve our climate objectives,” Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French minister for energy transition, said in a statement.
“It will also help us to reduce our dependence on Russia for energy, in the context of the war in Ukraine”, said Pannier-Runacher.
Energy ministers also dealt with a new regulation that requires EU countries to fill up their gas storage to at least 80% before the coming winter and 90% the year thereafter. Whether the storage targets will be met remains unclear.
Russia has now reduced its gas deliveries to 12 EU countries since it began invading Ukraine about 4 months ago, according to the European Commission.
Gas deliveries from Russia to the EU have fallen by half compared to the same period last year, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said as she arrived at the meeting in Luxembourg on Monday morning.
Germany, which is suffering supply cuts, is counting on solidarity in dealing with the current gas crisis, Habeck said.
“If Germany is now trying to fill up its storage facilities, it is not only to supply Germany,” Habeck said, but to enable mutual support for neighbouring countries like the Czech Republic and Austria should the situation worsen in the months ahead.
“A supply crisis in one country leads to an economic crisis in another, we are committed and dependent on solidarity here,” Habeck said.
Habeck stressed that Germany’s current gas needs are met and storage facilities are filling up, albeit at a slower rate than previously.
Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler called for faster joint gas purchases as the landlocked country is struggling to find alternative gas supplies on its own.
Energy and related emissions will also be on the agenda when EU environment ministers convene in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
