Energy Strategy 2020 (Consultation)

The Commission promotes the expansion of the EU internal energy market and announces a legal framework for the safe storage of nuclear waste. The expansion of EU energy grids is to be better coordinated. The Commission wishes to promote technological innovation and initiate a shift towards a low-carbon energy system by 2020 through market-based instruments.

cepPolicyBrief

The promotion of an internal energy market and the announced legal framework for the safe storage of nuclear waste are to be welcomed. It is also correct that the expansion EU energy networks should be better coordinated. However, this project should take into account the geographic location of energy production from renewable energies. Though it is positive that the Commission intends to employ market-based instruments in its climate policy, it should, however, cease to apply regulatory policy measures such as product regulation in future.