Energy policy of the European Union information

European Union total primary energy consumption by fuel in 2017^[1]

Oil (38%)

Coal (14%)

Natural gas (24%)

Nuclear (11%)

Hydro (4%)

Others renewables (9%)

The energy policy of the European Union focuses on energy security, sustainability, and integrating the energy markets of member states.^[2] An increasingly important part of it is climate policy. ^[3] A key energy policy adopted in 2009 is the 20/20/20 objectives, binding for all EU Member States. The target involved increasing the share of renewable energy in its final energy use to 20%, reduce greenhouse gases by 20% and increase energy efficiency by 20%.^[4] After this target was met, new targets for 2030 were set at a 55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as part of the European Green Deal.^[5]^[6] After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU's energy policy turned more towards energy security in their REPowerEU policy package, which boosts both renewable deployment and fossil fuel infrastructure for alternative suppliers.^[7]

The EU Treaty of Lisbon of 2007 legally includes solidarity in matters of energy supply and changes to the energy policy within the EU. Prior to the Treaty of Lisbon, EU energy legislation has been based on the EU authority in the area of the common market and environment. However, in practice many policy competencies in relation to energy remain at national member state level, and progress in policy at European level requires voluntary cooperation by members states.^[8]

In 2007, the EU was importing 82% of its oil and 57% of its gas, which then made it the world's leading importer of these fuels.^[9] Only 3% of the uranium used in European nuclear reactors was mined in Europe. Russia, Canada, Australia, Niger and Kazakhstan were the five largest suppliers of nuclear materials to the EU, supplying more than 75% of the total needs in 2009.^[10] In 2015, the EU imports 53% of the energy it consumes.^[11]

The European Investment Bank took part in energy financing in Europe in 2022: a part of their REPowerEU package was to assist up to €115 billion in energy investment through 2027, in addition to regular lending operation in the sector.^[12] In 2022, the EIB sponsored €17 billion in energy investments throughout the European Union.^[13]^[14]

The history of energy markets in Europe started with the European Coal and Steel Community, which was created in 1951 to lessen hostilities between France and Germany by making them economically intertwined. The 1957 Treaty of Rome established the free movement of goods, but three decades later, integration of energy markets had yet to take place.^[15] The start of an internal market for gas and electricity took place in the 1990s.^[16]

^ "Statistical Review of World Energy (June 2018)" (PDF). bp.com.
^ Ciucci, Matteo (September 2022). "Energy policy: general principles | Fact Sheets on the European Union". European Parliament. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
^ Rayner, Tim; Szulecki, Kacper; Jordan, Andrew J.; Oberthür, Sebastian (2023). "Handbook on European Union Climate Change Policy and Politics (open access)". Retrieved 20 July 2023.
^ Obrecht, Matevz; Denac, Matjaz (2013). "A sustainable energy policy for Slovenia : considering the potential of renewables and investment costs". Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. 5 (3): 032301. doi:10.1063/1.4811283.
^ Cite error: The named reference EEA23 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Goodman, Joe (20 May 2022). "In-depth Q&A: How the EU plans to end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels". Carbon Brief. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ Braun, Jan Frederik (24 February 2012). "EU Energy Policy under the Treaty of Lisbon Rules: Between a new policy and business as usual". Politics and Institutions, EPIN Working Papers. p. 14. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
^ "Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe". NBC News. Associated Press. 10 January 2007.
^ "ESA-AnnualReport2009-100908.indd" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2011.
^ "Press corner". European Commission – European Commission.
^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Crisis threaten long-term investment and green transition". European Investment Bank. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^ "Press corner". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^ Talus, Kim (5 September 2013). "The Regulatory History of EU Energy". EU Energy Law and Policy: A Critical Account. Oxford University Press. p. 15. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199686391.003.0002. ISBN 978-0-19-968639-1.
^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[1] "Statistical Review of World Energy (June 2018)" (PDF). bp.com.

[2] Ciucci, Matteo (September 2022). "Energy policy: general principles | Fact Sheets on the European Union". European Parliament. Retrieved 1 April 2023.

[3] Rayner, Tim; Szulecki, Kacper; Jordan, Andrew J.; Oberthür, Sebastian (2023). "Handbook on European Union Climate Change Policy and Politics (open access)". Retrieved 20 July 2023.

[4] Obrecht, Matevz; Denac, Matjaz (2013). "A sustainable energy policy for Slovenia : considering the potential of renewables and investment costs". Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. 5 (3): 032301. doi:10.1063/1.4811283.

[EEA23-5] Cite error: The named reference EEA23 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:2-6] Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[:3-7] Goodman, Joe (20 May 2022). "In-depth Q&A: How the EU plans to end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels". Carbon Brief. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[8] Braun, Jan Frederik (24 February 2012). "EU Energy Policy under the Treaty of Lisbon Rules: Between a new policy and business as usual". Politics and Institutions, EPIN Working Papers. p. 14. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

[9] "Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe". NBC News. Associated Press. 10 January 2007.

[10] "ESA-AnnualReport2009-100908.indd" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2011.

[europa.eu-11] "Press corner". European Commission – European Commission.

[:5-12] Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[13] "Crisis threaten long-term investment and green transition". European Investment Bank. Retrieved 17 May 2023.

[14] "Press corner". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 17 May 2023.

[:1-15] Talus, Kim (5 September 2013). "The Regulatory History of EU Energy". EU Energy Law and Policy: A Critical Account. Oxford University Press. p. 15. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199686391.003.0002. ISBN 978-0-19-968639-1.

[:4-16] Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Energy policy of the European Union information

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