The Council
held a public policy debate on energy security, in connection with the second
Strategic Energy Review submitted by the Commission. The President of the
European Investment Bank, Mr Philippe Maystadt, also took part in the
discussion and gave explanations on the funding planned by the Bank in the
following areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency, research into new
energy technologies and energy security.
To structure
the debate, ministers were asked to give their views on questions prepared by
the Presidency which related in particular to infrastructure, solidarity,
dialogue with third countries and energy efficiency.
Following the
discussions, the President of the Council stressed the following factors in
particular:
- energy
efficiency is the first priority and the new
package also includes significant progress in that area;
- Europe needs energy which is clean, affordable, available in the
event of crisis and sustainable over the long term. The recent
lowering of the price of energy must not allow us to forget our vulnerability
over the long term and the need to increase our efforts to control
demand and security of supply;
- research and
development of all low-carbon energies: renewable, wind and solar
energy, marine energy and biomass, but also carbon capture and storage;
- each
Member State is free to choose whether or not to use nuclear energy, which today accounts for one third of electricity
production in Europe. In this respect the Commission proposals, with the
Illustrative Nuclear Programme, the proposal
for a Directive on nuclear safety and work on waste management, are
essential;
- the
importance of developing new infrastructures, especially with
regard to remote areas and particularly the Baltic States and island
States: the North-South connections; the development of the southern
corridor to the resources of the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean
electricity and gas ring and liquefied natural gas.
The ministers'
speeches will contribute to preparation of the Council conclusions and the
spring 2009 European Council.