Security of Energy Supply (Communication)

The European Commission proposes measures to ensure a secure energy supply in the EU. It calls on the Member States to complete the internal energy market and protect critical infrastructures such as gas pipelines against the political influence of state-owned companies in non-EU countries. In addition, it considers voluntary demand aggregation in order to improve the negotiating position of individual EU energy importers with respect to energy exporters in non-EU countries.

cepPolicyBrief

Protecting energy infrastructure from malign influence by companies subject to political control in non-EU countries is essential. A more competitive internal energy market limits the market power of individual energy exporters in non-EU countries over individual Member States and reduces disruptions in supply. Aggregating the demand of natural gas importing companies reduces the incentive of Member States to invest in cross-border natural gas transmission systems.