Energy policy

EU energy policy is closely linked to other key policy areas. In recent years, it has undergone a major shift towards greater sustainability. Energy policy in the EU is strongly oriented towards the Green Deal and the goal of making Europe climate-neutral by 2050. This is why the energy transition in Europe and the necessary renewable energies are key components. Electricity from solar, wind and hydropower is being strongly promoted. However, the development of energy prices must not be forgotten in the context of sustainable energy policy. High energy prices reduce acceptance among citizens. All energy news from the Table.Briefings editorial team. What does EU energy policy involve? EU energy policy concerns the most important aspects of the Community. By definition, the content of energy policy is to produce and trade energy in an environmentally friendly way. This also applies to infrastructure and cooperation with third countries. The EU's energy policy therefore has a decisive influence on environmental and transport policy, as well as on foreign and security policy. In principle, energy policy is the responsibility of the individual states. However, their room for maneuver is limited due to increasing environmental problems, massive shortages and high energy prices for fossil fuels, which is why the Green Deal has made environmental protection a central theme of EU energy policy. With enormous effects on the energy sector. This is because electricity generation is responsible for a quarter of all greenhouse gases in the EU. The Fit for 55 package aims to reduce emissions in Europe by 55% by 2030. And by 88% by 2040. The EU wants to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This will require a structural change in energy generation. How is the energy transition progressing in Europe? In order to achieve this structural change, the EU is relying on the energy transition. However, this is progressing slowly. According to an EU report from 2021, greater efforts than before are needed to achieve the 2030 target. This envisages a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990. So far, only nine countries have phased out coal energy. A further 13 have only announced their exit. Four countries are still discussing this. The EU consumed 1.9% less electricity in 2020. However, this saving was due to the coronavirus pandemic, the rapporteurs explained. Moreover, even this figure is below the savings needed to make the energy transition in Europe a success and the development of energy prices is a problem. Around 31 million people in Europe were affected by energy poverty in 2021. A comparison of energy prices shows that the countries with the highest shares of wind and solar power have the highest electricity prices. In Germany, these energy sources account for around 34%. Here, electricity cost around 33.87 cents per kWh in 2020 (annual consumption 1,000 kWh to 2,500 kWh). Denmark has a 62% share and charged 30.8 cents. In Poland, 75% of energy comes from coal power. Here, a kilowatt hour costs 16.08 cents. What energy targets is the EU pursuing? The EU is pursuing five central energy goals with its policy. On the one hand, these are closely linked to the climate targets and, on the other, are intended to make the EU independent of energy imports. The EU's first energy objective is the diversification of energy sources. Solidarity and cooperation between the individual nation states should secure the energy supply. The second goal is derived from this: an integrated internal market. Energy goal number three is to reduce emissions while at the same time growing the industry. This requires an increase in energy efficiency. Decarbonization of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement is intended to promote this development and is therefore goal number four. Promoting low-carbon energy technologies and supporting the relevant research is the EU's fifth energy objective. Where does energy come from in Europe? Energy in Europe comes from renewable sources, fossil fuels and nuclear power. In 2020, 38% of electricity came from renewable sources. This meant that for the first time, their share of the electricity mix was greater than the share of energy from fossil fuels. It amounted to 37%. A quarter of energy in Europe is nuclear power. This makes nuclear power the largest single source of energy. It is followed by natural gas (17.9%), onshore and offshore wind power (14.4%) and lignite (8.2%), although there are very large differences in the electricity mix within the EU. France, for example, produces 52% of all European nuclear power. Nuclear power is produced in a total of 14 European countries. Construction of a new nuclear power plant is due to begin in Poland in 2026. This would make Poland the 15th country. Currently, three quarters of Poland's electricity comes from lignite and hard coal-fired power plants. In Denmark, 62% of energy comes from wind and solar power plants. What directives and laws are there? The EU adapted its energy policy to the Paris Agreement in 2019. It adopted the "Clean energy for all Europeans" package, which contains a total of eight different laws with different focuses. News on EU energy policy Electricity generation in the EU is the largest producer of greenhouse gases. Accordingly, the EU is aiming for a radical change in this sector. This has an impact on transport and foreign policy and the competencies of the individual nation states. Energy policy is therefore the subject of intense debate. The development of energy prices is a particular focus in times of crisis. High energy prices lead to energy poverty. All energy news from the Table Media editorial team.