Activities of Claude TURMES related to 2015/2113(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Towards a European Energy Union (A8-0341/2015 - Marek Józef Gróbarczyk) (vote)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on Towards a European Energy Union PDF (302 KB) DOC (292 KB)
Amendments (114)
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas defining the energy mix of Member States is an exclusive national competence, and therefore energy mixes remain highly diversifiedaccording to article 194 TFEU, the European energy policy shall ensure the functioning of the energy market, security of energy supply, promote energy efficiency and savings, the development of renewable energy as well as the interconnection of energy networks;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Member States are exclusively competent for defining their energy mix, and the Commission must not encroach upon this competence by passing EU laws that discrimconvergence in EU energy and climate policies is driven by legislation and the continuate against certain energy resourcion of existing directives ton the advantage of othersinternal market, renewables, efficiency, and infrastructure;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the European Parliament has twice called for binding 2030 climate and energy targets of at least 40 % reduction in CO2 emissions, at least 30 % for renewables and 40 % for energy efficiency to be implemented by means of individual national targets; whereas binding national and EU targets for energy efficiency and renewables create growth and jobs and would help secure the EU's technological leadership in these fields;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas convergence and cost- optimisation is also expected from deepened regional cooperation between Member States;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas measurebinding measures and targets for developing the Energy Union and achieving the 2020 and 2030 climate and energy targets must takbe fuoll account of the impacts on energy prices, costs and the competitiveness of the EU economy in order to get the necessary support from citizens and industryowed-up upon or respectively put in place;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the future vision of the Energy Union must be one in which Member States recognise that they depend on each other to deliver secure energy to their citizens, based on true solidarity and trust, and in which the Energy Union speaks with one voice in global affairs; whereas every Member State therefore has a duty to prioritise energy efficiency and energy demand reduction in order to safeguard the energy security of the EU and its Member States overall;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas EU energy and climate policies must complement each another, and their objectives must reinforce rather than undermine one aneach other; the Energy Union should therefore complement European reindustrialisation targetsfoster sustainable reindustrialisation goals of the European economy, boost the transition to a low- emission economy based on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency and enhance the global competitiveness of the European economy, while effectively avoiding any threat of carbon leakage;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU imports more than half of all the energy it consumes, its import dependency is particularly high for crude oil (more than 90 %) and natural gas (66 %), and the total import bill is more than EUR 1 billion per day; whereas buildings are responsible for more than 40% of all EU energy consumption and consume 61% of all gas imported to the EU, therefore making the reduction of energy demand in buildings the fastest and least costly way to reduce the import dependency of gas;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas some European countries still heavily rely on energy supply from old, polluting and inefficient, yet still subsidised, coal power plants;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas EU industrithe EU wholesale electricity prices, before taking account of tax or levy exemptions for energy-intensive industries, are more than twice as high as in the US and Russia, 20% higher than China's but 20% lower than those in Japan are at historically low level and the State aid guidelines already allow large- scale exemptions for energy-intensive industries, leading to a situation where the EU competitive disadvantage on electricity has been reduced;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas European industry still suffers from a significant competitive disadvantage on gas prices, mostly because of the oil price index being included in long-term contracts with Russia;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas 30 million European jobs are at risk owing to the US shale gas boom, as energy-intensive industries move operations to the US, where energy costs are far loweraccording to the Commission's analysis on energy prices and costs in Europe, relocation of European industries has taken place for reasons such as the European economic crisis, the attractiveness of markets outside the EU and high labour costs, but cannot be attributed to high energy costs; whereas energy efficiency in energy- intensive industries has allowed European companies to keep their competitive advantage;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas the renewable energy sector employs 1.2 million people in Europe, whereas many renewable energy projects are owned by small, private companies and individuals, whereas EU companies have a share of 40 % of all world patents for renewable technologies, which makes it a global leader as regards investment in renewable energy;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas, notwithstanding its global dominance in investment in renewable energy, the World Energy Outlook 2014 predicts global energy demand to grow by 37 % and global coal demand by 15 % by 2040 renewable energies and energy efficiency are "no regret" options for the decarbonisation of the energy sector by 2050 and, according to the Internal Energy Agency, these sectors should represent at least 80% of the investments to maintain global warming within a 2°C limit;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital T
Recital T
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital W
Recital W
W. whereas the European Energy Security Strategy identified 33 infrastructure projects which are essential to improve security of supply and to better connect energy markets33 infrastructure projects identified in the European Energy Security Strategy should be complemented by a stronger focus on the modernisation of the electricity distribution network and on the shift from coal and gas to biomass to improve security of supply;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital X
Recital X
X. whereas the International Energy Agency's estimates that the EU is responsible for 11 % of global greenhouse gas emissions and that this proportion is set to decrease in the future; whereas the EU's contribution to lowering global emissions must happen alongside that of other major emitters, if set emission reduction objectives are met;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Recital Y
Y. whereas diversificationincreased security of supplies, the completion of the internal energy market, more efficient energy consumption, the development of indigenous renewable energy resources and R&D activities are, combined with the involvement of cities and citizens, the key drivers of the Energy Union;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z
Recital Z
Z. whereas the EU's aspiration is to raise the contribution of industry to its GDP to as much as 20 % by 2020, and affordable energincreased energy productivity will be indispensable to achieving this ambition;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication entitled ‘A Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy'; notes that equal energy security, competitiveness and sustainability in a fully integrated energy market constitute the main pillars for the creation of an Energy Union, which can be achieved by moderating and reducing energy demand, developing and integrating sustainable energy sources, pooling resources, connecting networks, developing smart grids, ensuring unified energy market regulation and establishing unified negotiating positions vis-à-vis third countries through strengthened measures at EU level and more cohesive and better coordinated national policies and action;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises that the Energy Union, in addition to ensuring security of supply, should adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on key pillars dimensions such as achievement of a fully integrated internal energy market, moderation of energy demand, decarbonisation of the energy mix, essentially based on renewable energy sources, and research and innovation aiming in the energy technologies leadership; stresses that European citizens should be at the core of the Energy Union and be provided with secure, sustainable and affordable energy sources
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The goal of a resilient Energy Union with an ambitious climate policy at its core is to give EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy. Achieving this goal will require a fundamental transformation of Europe's energy system. 1 b __________________ 1b COM (2015) 80 final "A framework strategy for a resilient Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy"
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)
Subheading 1 a (new)
Energy security, solidarity and trust
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to actively pursue the diversification of supply (energy sources, suppliers and routes); to this end, calls on the Commission to promote the construction of the relevant energy infrastructure priority corridors, as specified in Annex I to the trans-European energy networks (TEN-E) regulation and Part II of the Annex I to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) regulation, such as the Southern Gas Corridor;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that all EU infrastructure projects aimed at diversifying energy sources, suppliers and routes must be fully in line with EU legong term decarbonislation and EU energy security prioritiescommitments and EU environmental and other relevant legislation; calls on the Commission to consider investment to moderate energy demand, especially in buildings, as infrastructure investment;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, in the context of the future Energy Union, security of energy supply is the most pressing issue and that Member States must coordinate and cooperate in this respect with their neighbours when developing their energsecurity of supply policies; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to ex to examine how national preventive and emergency response measures including energy efficiency measures could be streamline how the current architecture of national preventive and emergency response measures could be streamlined at both regional and EU level; d at both regional and EU level, how the coherence of these measures could be enhanced and the market distortive effects of these measures could be minimised; supports the use of a single, future-proof and robust European system adequacy assessment methodology and is in favour of regional system adequacy assessments; deplores the introduction of national capacity remuneration mechanisms that have market distortive effects and that perpetuate the financing of old, polluting and inefficient generation capacities;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Expresses the opinion that Russia can no longer be considered a reliable partner as it explicitly questions EU law, including at the World Trade Organisation, and uses energy supply for political purposes; notes that diversification of supply improves countries' bargaining position towards external gas suppliers, therefore stresses, that the EU must learn from past energy crises with Russia;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. stresses that improving energy efficiency in the EU would reduce the risk of dependency, thus reinforcing the EU negotiating position in energy related matters.
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Commission to bring forward proposals to revise the Regulation (EU) 994/2010 on security of gas supply, in such a way that member states are required to establish a strategy to promote the reduction of gas consumption through energy efficiency, energy storage and the fuel switch to renewable energy sources
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to establish an EU-wide target forpursue the goal of reducing energy import dependency and to publish regular progress reports in this respect; recalls in this context that ambitious policies for renewable energy and energy efficiency for 2020, 2030 and 2050 will be the major drivers of reaching this goal;
Amendment 419 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that diversity in the energy mixes of Member States, based on their respective potential, experience, know-how and economic costs and needs, is an asset to the EU as a whole, since it strengthens it - with the common understanding that the EU's climate and energy targets are met - since it allows for taking advantages of the natural circumstances, strengthens resilience to supply disruptions, enables it to make cost- optimal energy choices and allows different technologies to develop and compete on the market, thereby driving down the costs of energy;
Amendment 435 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that the Union can reduce its dependency on particular suppliers and fuels by maximising its use of indigenous sources of energy, including conventional and unconvfossil fuels by first increasing energy efficiency in key sectors such as buildings and by maximising its use of renewable sources; therefore calls for the full implementational low-emission fossil fuels of existing Europeand renewables, and therefore stresses that no fuel or technology contributing to energy security and climate goals should be discriminated againstenergy efficiency legislation, including binding national targets for the period 2021-2030;
Amendment 455 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that indigenous resources, both conventional and unconventionalnewable resources, which have the potential to increase the EU's energy security of supply should be fully tapped and that unnecessary regulatory burdens on the entities willing to invest in these fields must be avoided;
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Commission to finalise the evaluation of its Recommendations on high-volume hydraulic fracturing (2014/70/EU) and swiftly present proposals for binding EU-level legislation before the end of 2016;
Amendment 472 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to facilitate the effective use of existing EU funding schemes, including the European Fund for Strategic Investments, so as to support investment in the development of Europe's indigenousenergy efficiency key sectors such as buildings and renewable energy resources, based ony taking higher shares of project risk so as technology-neutral approacho leverage private funding and financing;
Amendment 488 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 502 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the Energy Community activities notably in renewable energy and energy efficiency for increased security of supply, through, inter alia, better implementation and enforcement of EU law such as the 2020 and 2030 targets, enhancing its institutions and implementing key infrastructure projects in order to ensure better integration with the EU energy market and security of supply mechanisms;
Amendment 509 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Acknowledges the Union's specific dependency on energy imports for heat; recalls that ambitious energy efficiency and renewables targets, more integrated energy markets and the renovation of district heating systems alongside the deployment of technologies such as heat pumps are the best instruments for the EU to decrease this dependence;
Amendment 510 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Stresses that innovation in renewable heat technologies is needed to decrease imports, reduce costs, enhance system performance, facilitate their integration, and to increase the temperature level so as to cover high-temperature heat demand in industrial sectors.
Amendment 511 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Calls on the Commission to adopt an EU strategy for heating and cooling that identifies all actions and synergies needed in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors to reduce this dependency while contributing to EU's energy and climate objectives, achieving energy savings, reinforcing the competitiveness of the European economy, stimulating growth and jobs creation and promoting system innovation; Stresses that this strategy for heating and cooling should address all five dimensions of the energy union.
Amendment 512 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 517 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the future Energy Union mustshould establish a free flow of sustainable energy across EU countries as the fifth European freedom alongside free movement of people, goods, capital and services;
Amendment 533 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that the backbone of the future Energy Union must be a fully functioning internal energy market that delivers secure, competitive and sustainable energy and energy demand reduction to enable EU companies and consumers to access gasheat and electricity in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible;
Amendment 563 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Welcomes the Commission report from October 2014 on energy prices and subsidies; calls on the Commission to help ensuring greater transparency in costs and prices of all forms of energy by continuing these monitoring efforts; calls on the Commission to take actions to ensure a complete internalisation of external costs into energy prices; calls on a revision of the Eurostat framework allowing a breakdown of electricity prices per type of consumer;
Amendment 573 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Regrets that ENTSO-E and ENTSO- G are too dependent on the budget allocation from national TSOs, what threatens their ability to act as European players;
Amendment 574 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls on the Commission to increase their regulation and surveillance of power exchanges and gas hubs market activities;
Amendment 581 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes at the same time that market- based mechanisms must be complemented by tangible and ambitious solidarity mechanisms, such as more efficient EU crisis management, better use of LNG and gas storagean ambitious adoption of energy saving measures, better use of LNG and gas storage, district heating systems storage potential, micro-storage capacities, and virtual capacity reserve mechanisms to be enshrined in EU legislation, including the Security of Gas Supply Regulation, which, to this end, must be reviewed as soon as possible;
Amendment 597 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the need for full implementation and enforcement of existing EU energy legislation and for a swift adoption of ambitious European network codes and guidelines, which must go hand in hand with strengthening the competences of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), in order to better supervise the work of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSO-G), associations representing DSOs, consumer organisations and other civil society groups;
Amendment 607 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that athe urgently needed, properly designed future model of the electricity market in the EU must aim at a more market-based and optimal, from the point of view of network security, integration of renewable energy sourcesbe adapted to the characteristics of renewable energy generation technologies and aim at an optimal integration of renewable energy sources, enabling flexibility services to ensure network security;
Amendment 619 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Underlines that market integrity is a fundamental goal of the internal energy market, as well as of the Energy Union as such and is required to allow transparent and efficient market functioning; Highlights the role of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), and the importance of its proper funding, to ensure market integrity and functioning in the Energy Union;
Amendment 636 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Acknowledges that a more integrated energy system could enhance crossborder solidarity during times of external energy supply shocks and would allow further integration of increasing volumes of renewable energy; calls that immediate action is required from on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that energy generation, transmission and distribution, energy demand management and storage and transmission can operate as a functional elements of the EU internal market across national borders without undue restrictions; in this context optimal use of the existing infrastructure should be ensured;
Amendment 638 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Emphasises that implementation of strategic infrastructure projects shall contribute to medium and long term aspects of energy security, be in full compliance with EU long-term decarbonisation commitments and EU environmental and other relevant legislation;
Amendment 676 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Supports regional approaches where there are particular regional challenges or opportunities, or where acting regionally could speed up market integration, including through the creation of regional hubs to enhance market liquidity;
Amendment 697 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Points out that in order to successfully balance the internal market, investment is needed not only in interconnectors but also in, inter alia, storage capacity, such as LNG terminals and smart grids, in order to cope with enhanced renewable and distributed generation; national grids, sustainable storage capacity - taking into account complementarity between types of renewable sources - and smart grids, in order to go hand in hand with the development of renewable and distributed generation; Stresses that the deployment of smart distribution grids needs to be facilitated through accelerated permission procedures as well political support and adapted regulatory frameworks for network operators;
Amendment 708 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the need to create a legislative framework that empowers consumers and makes them active participants in the market as investors and stakeholders; notes that consumers' involvement can be strengthened through, inter alia, energy cooperatives and, micro-generation, micro- storage and enhanced transparency and flexibility of prices and consumer choices; stresses that prosumers providing the grid with storage capacities should be rewarded and that prosumers should be encouraged to consume their own green electricity production without being imposed additional taxes or grid charges; points out that such initiatives could contribute to reducing energy prices and help address serious social problems, such as fuel poverty;
Amendment 721 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Welcomes the forthcoming Commission communication on retail markets and self-consumption offering a "new deal" for consumers and the increasing focus on this topic linked to the progressive decentralisation of the energy system; calls on the Commission to come forward with proposals to increase the transparency and competitiveness of retail markets, to maximise prosumers' benefits and to boost new "small scale" business opportunities and to formally recognise the right to self-consumption for all consumers;
Amendment 727 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes that a more decentralised and flexible energy system, with power and heat sources being placed closer to the point of consumption, can facilitate small- scale energy generation and therefore empowers consumers to be more involved in the energy market, control their own energy use, diminishes transmission and distribution losses, the risk of attacking improves the resilience of energy infrastructure and simultaneously provides local business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to facilitate further development and expansion of local and regional renewable energy sources and of local and regional distribution networks and district heating networks through policies that tackle existing barriers and help bring about market transformation; calls on the Commission to propose guidelines on energy self-consumption in order to promote its use and protect the rights of consumers;
Amendment 730 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Expresses its concern with the development of uncoordinated capacity mechanisms in some member states constituting market distortions; welcomes the Commission's announcement to open an investigation on this issue and calls on the Commission to make sure that these capacity mechanisms which are rewarding poorly planned investments in fossil-fuel assets, favouring incumbents and distorting competition are dismantled;
Amendment 731 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28d. Reminds that the Commission written declaration of 2003 and the Commission Recommendation of 24 October 2006 (2006/851/Euratom) on decommissioning of nuclear installations stating that "a segregated fund with appropriate control on prudent use should be the preferred option for all nuclear installations" and calls on the Commission to translate this approach into a legally binding act;
Amendment 733 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Energy efficiency as a contributiong to the moderation of energy demand;
Amendment 740 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Notes that following the European Council conclusions of 23 and 24 October 2014, post-2020 EU state that an indicative target at the EU level of at least 27% is set for improving energy- efficiency targets must be non-binding and not apply at national levelin 2030 and that this will be reviewed by 2020, having in mind an EU level of 30%; welcomes the Commission's commitment to bear in mind the objective of 30% when working on the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive; notes that the European Parliament supports a binding energy efficiency target of 40%;
Amendment 750 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Recalls that the moderation of energy demand, in particular energy demand used for heating, through energy savings and energy efficiency is crucial for a number of reasons, impacting positively on the EU's energy security, competitiveness, economic growth and sustainability, as well as on energy affordability, combatting energy poverty and creating sustainable jobs; highlights in this regard, that according to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency investments represent the best return on investment of any energy resource; calls on the European Commission and the Member States to treat energy efficiency as an energy source in its own right representing the value of energy saved; underlines that energy efficiency and demand-side response shall compete on equal terms with generation capacity, taking due consideration of urgent and exceptional energy security problems and whenever is technically feasible; therefore encourages Member States to give energy efficiency primary consideration in their policies;
Amendment 757 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the Commission to identify and remove the remaining barriers to energy efficiency products and services, including energy performance contracts and energy service agreements, and to develop a true single market in energy efficiency in order to foster transfer of best practice and ensure availability of products and solutions throughout the EU; stresses the importance of developing standards for each element in the energy efficiency investment process;
Amendment 764 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Stresses that a binding energy efficiency target would be the cost- efficient way to reduce Europe's energy dependency while at the same time protecting industry and households from rising energy bills; reminds that the European Parliament adopted in its resolutions of 5 February 2014 and 26 November 2014 1 a three binding targets including an energy efficiency target of 40%, a renewables target of at least 30% and a GHG target of at least 40%; deplores in this context the lack of ambition on energy efficiency shown by the European Council in their October 2014 summit, in setting a non-binding target of just 27% with no individual targets for Member States.
Amendment 771 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that improvements in energy- efficiency pursued on a cost-effective basis will make a key contribution to energy security, competitiveness and the achievement of climate objectives; stresses, however, that gains in energy efficiency cannot replace diversification of energy supply, jobs, growth, improved mental and physical health, combatting energy poverty and the achievement of climate objectives; notes that according to the International Energy Agency, energy efficiency investments represent the best return on investment of any energy resource; stresses that gains in energy efficiency, particularly the reduction of energy loss in buildings, have a crucial effect on reducing EU energy imports from third countries, given that 61% of gas imported into the European Union is used in buildings, mainly for heating purposes;
Amendment 792 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses that energy demand in the building sector is responsible for about 40 % of energy consumption in the EU and a third of natural gas use, and that it is therefore necessary to increase both the depth and the rate of building renovation and the use of sustainable energy sources in heating and cooling, through the right incentives in order to reduce energy demand; recommends the continuation of increasing energy efficiency standards for buildings taking account of and encouraging technical innovation; further recommends continued support for the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings as an additional crucial step in securing energy independence and a sustainable and secure energy system; emphasises in this context the need to develop innovative sources of private financing and encourages greater involvement of the European Investment Bank and the EFSI to complement national financing schemes to improve the competitiveness of industry and create more growth and jobs; this should also create benefits for citizens including a reduction in energy bills and an improvement in standards of living;
Amendment 795 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Stresses the importance of engaging all stakeholders in the implementation of different energy efficiency measures and the need to ensure that consumers have access to adequate and transparent information and appropriate incentives to save energy;
Amendment 797 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. BelievNotes that it will be important to avoid over-prescriptive legislation that can constrain domestic policy choices about how best to promothe EU is not yet on track to meet its target of saving 20 % of energy (371 Mtoe) by 2020, and that over one third of reduced energy consumption is actually attributable to lower levels of economic activity instead of increased policy efforts on energy efficiency; therefore, calls on the Commission to strictly enforce the already adopted energy efficiency within a national contextlegislation as well as to bring forward, in discussions with the European Parliament and the Council, an updating and improving of the legislation on energy labelling and ecodesign, taking into account energy savings potential and market relevance;
Amendment 808 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. BelievStresses that the energy-efficiency target must work alongsideis key to the achievement of energy and climate goals and to the strengthening of the competitiveness of the EU economy vis-à- vis its major trade partners;
Amendment 816 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that a cautious revision of existing eCalls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy eEfficiency legislation, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, is needed in order not to undermine national policies already in place which operate withiDirective - especially the National Energy Efficiency Plans (NEEAPs) and National Renovation Strategies - and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive ; calls on the Commission to carry out a review of the Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance of Buildings Directives in order to achieve the EU 2030 energy efficiency improvement target, putting a stronger emphasis on the 2020 climate and energy framework; calls on the Commission to review the EUlping vulnerable consumers and tackling energy poverty; believes that in the context of this enforcement measurement and verification of energy- efficiency legislation by no sooner than 2018improvements should be done on a regular basis;
Amendment 836 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Acknowledges that local authorities of European cities undoubtedly make an important contribution to reduced energy independence by increasing energy- efficiency through cogeneration, modernising district heating systems, increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travelsustainable transport models and, renovating buildings, deploying a future-proof distribution infrastructure and developing local renewable energy sources;
Amendment 856 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Considers that investment to moderate energy demand, especially in buildings and industry, is a significant contribution to energy security, while stimulating economic growth and job creation at the same time, and that this should be taken into account when developing integrated economic instruments, building regulations and considering financial allocations; Stresses that increased EU financial support should be made available to support the Member States in achieving these energy efficiency goals and objectives;
Amendment 861 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Amendment 866 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. UEnderlinorses the crucial role of renewables in the EU in attaining its greenhouse gas reduction targets; unommitment from the Commission to make the European Union "the world number one on renewables"; urges the Commission to present a fully- fledged Communication derclines that, ing this regard, the current market design should be improved by fully integrating renewables into the markeobjective into a concrete, operational and workable strategy based on a vivid domestic market for renewables, an innovation strategy coupled with a robust aind introducing cost-reflective balancing pustrial policy and stronger support to export opportunities providing solutions for developing countrices;.
Amendment 880 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Commission to ensure the full implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28) and to come forward with a robust governance system including the European Parliament along with effective regulation to allow the attainment of the 2030 renewable energy target;
Amendment 883 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to guarantee transparency, consistency, stability and continuity of regulatory renewable energy frameworks and to avoid retroactive changes in economic conditions of investments in order to strengthen investors' confidence and to contribute to a cost-efficient deployment of renewable energy across the EU regions; stresses the need for better coordination of support schemes in line with the European Commission Guidance on the design of renewable energy support schemes in order to avoid potential market distortion, and safeguard effective support for renewables;
Amendment 885 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Underlines that the current market design should be improved to fully take into account the characteristics of renewable energy generation and, therefore, optimise market functioning to reduce overall system costs and energy prices for consumers and industry and enabling system flexibility; Regrets that the current "merit-order effect" is penalising renewable energy sources because of their low marginal operational costs but rewards other technologies with higher marginal operational costs.
Amendment 904 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses, however, that the EU must emxploy a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising our energy systems, adopting strategies for using and promoting not only renewable energy sources but also other low-emission sources of energyit the full potential of renewables to decarbonising our energy systems; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to revise its Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines in a way which will provide for an equitable treatment of energy production from different energy sources that meet the EU's environmental, climate, sustainability and security of supply objectives; considers that this revision should build upon an evaluation of the new "full auctioning" system without undermining small-scale renewables development and citizens' involvement as only large companies would be in a position to succeed in fully open auctions and tendering procedures, in this respect calls for "de minimis" exemptions;
Amendment 944 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 c (new)
Paragraph 38 c (new)
38c. Believes that the development of renewable energy sources is central to the energy security strategy, taking into consideration energy costs; stresses the importance of developing cross-border infrastructure and of enhancing research and innovation in developing smarter energy grids and new energy storage solutions as well as flexible generation technologies for the integration of renewables
Amendment 952 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Recognises that indigenous energy sources such as nuclear, clean coal Considers that the development of unconventional fuels - yet another fossil and finite resource contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate chnologies and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS) would make a fundamental contribution to EU energy security and decarbonisation, with shale gas facilitating the transition to a low- emission economy; believes, in this respect, that the Energy Union must reflect the need for the EU to use all low and lower emission sources at Member States' disposal; ange - deviates funding from sustainable indigenous energy sources namely renewable energy; Underlines the gaps identified in the EU regulatory regime for shale gas activities and urges Member States not to authorise any hydraulic fracturing operations in the EU; Highlights the role of renewable energy and energy efficiency and savings to make a fundamental contribution to EU energy security and decarbonisation; States that CCS has not yet shown its economic viability; Reminds that uranium is at the basis of the production of electricity from nuclear power; stresses that the EU is reliant on imports for about 95% of its uranium; does not classify therefore nuclear as an indigenous energy source
Amendment 986 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Believes that it is for Member States to determine the best mix of policies and technologies to deliver decarbonisation and national climate change targets; recognisthe renewables, energy efficiency and climate change targets should be chosen by the Member States; underlines that in some areas, such as product standards, EU-level policies are the most effective, while in others Member States may choose to work together also in other fields;
Amendment 996 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to put forward proposals for establishing a ModernisaTransition Fund, which should have strict criteria and guidance to ensure that funding is targeted at genuine energy modernisatransition projects, which would be selected based on a technology-neutral approach and on whether they are demonstrably consistent with attainment of the EU's 2030 underpinning the EU's 2030 and 2050 renewables, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas objectives;
Amendment 1006 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the development of the Energy Union takpromotes duthe consideration of requirements for environmental protection, biodiversity and the competitiveness of European industry;mpetitiveness of European industry worldwide; to this extent recalls that the sector of renewable energy requires stronger support to export opportunities in a fastly-growing world market as it shows multiple benefits notably providing solutions for developing countries while at the same time ensuring market shares for leading European companies.
Amendment 1015 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42a. Recalls that the photovoltaic industry must be at the heart of the European industrial policy to meet the demands of a growing global market in a context where the bulk of the photovoltaic cells and modules are nowadays manufactured outside the European Union, mostly in China; Stresses the need for the EU to be fully part of this new investment cycle in order to maintain its leadership on research & development, on machinery, on some other segments like inverters and balance of systems, and to re-install a leadership in equipment production (cells and modules); believes that the EU should set the objective to be in a position to meet at least 20% of its own market with cells and modules manufactured domestically by 2020.
Amendment 1026 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to undertake common efforts in order to bring down wholesale and retail gas and energy prices by 20 % by 2020;Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption by undertaking efficiency improvements, stronger interconnections, higher market integration and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to access on equal conditions a single, sustainable, competitive and secure energy market and escape energy poverty which in 2012 affected one in four EU citizens; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it, which contains a definition and indicators of energy poverty; (CA37 from Saudargas report supported by EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, Greens, GUE, EFDD)
Amendment 1051 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Research and Development, Innovation and Competitiveness
Amendment 1056 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls on the Commission to focus intensify its research efforts regarding the better use of Europe's indigenous resources, both conventional and unconventional;and innovation efforts on sustainable strategic future technologies that have the potential to address climate change and environmental concerns, ensure sustainable security of supply and maintain the EU's competitive advantage in energy technologies
Amendment 1077 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44 a (new)
Paragraph 44 a (new)
44a. Welcomes the adoption by the Commission of a revised SET-Plan; emphasises that R&D and innovation should focus on system integration of the different solutions available or under development rather than on individual sectors and technologies separately from each other.
Amendment 1082 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Stresses that the EU must collectively step up its R&D efforts as regards efficient, low- emission technologiescy and renewable energy technologies and their market roll-out in order to meet its 2020 and 2030 objectives and, improve its energy security and facilitate economic recovery;
Amendment 1087 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Believes that greater effort in developing innovative low-emissionrenewable energy technologies and solutions can bring significant long-term benefits in terms of reduced generation costs and reduced energy demand;
Amendment 1106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46a. Acknowledges that smart metering devices make a significant contribution to distribution grid services; stresses that consumers shall remain the ultimate owners of their data and that data transmitted to DSOs and other market operators should be anonymised in order to fully respect the right to privacy;
Amendment 1110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Underlines that it should be a priority for the Member States to bring down the costs of sustainable, safe and less mature low-carbon energy technologies, particularly those that are likely to be critical to global decarbonisation, such as power plants fitted with CCS,energy transition and potential breakthrough technologies, such as electricity storage;
Amendment 1122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Recognises that progress in environmentally friendly, cost-effective innovations and R&D is also key to the EU's future competitiveness, including Europe's industry; stresses that the European Union will become "the world number one on renewables" only through the deployment of cost-effective innovations and intensified R&D efforts in this specific sector;
Amendment 1124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Notes the European technological leadership in key sectors such as wind turbines, electricity cables, grid development and services, urban transport systems; regrets that this leadership is under stress and calls on the Commission to take urgent actions to maintain this leadership;
Amendment 1128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Calls on the Commission to provide an explicit mapping of the different funding and financing instruments, such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), InvestEU programme, Connecting Europe (PCIs), R&D funds, structural funds, smart grid financing instruments (ERA-Net Plus), the Horizon 2020 programme (H2020), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR), the Connecting Europe Facility - Energy (CEF-E), NER 300 and Eurogia+, and to clarify the eligibility rules for each of these programmes, while taking into account the technology neutral approach; recalls that access to these programmes and instruments often requires the delivery of targeted technical assistance; calls on the Commission to aim to provide more balanced support and spending throughout the EU to avoid creating a technological rift between regions;
Amendment 1136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Governance of the energy union
Amendment 1137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Calls on the Commission to develop a reliable and transparent governance system to help ensure that the EU meets its energy policy goals, stresses that the governance system should step up the role and rights of consumers (notably by encouraging Member States to set objectives for community- and locally- owned energy), transparency and predictability for investors, inter alia by systematic monitoring of key indicators and will facilitate harmonisation of national energy policies and foster regional cooperation between Member States.
Amendment 1144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Delivering the Energy Union: citizens and cities
Amendment 1145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Stresses the importance for strengthening energy independence of short-term measures such as reducing energy demand, development of renewables and their storage, storage of gas, development of reverse gas flow infrastructure, support of new projects, which enable maximum use of existing infrastructure, preparation of regional security of supply plans, and more effective use of the opportunities to import liquefied natural gas, especially in those Member States which are exclusively dependent on, or unduly vulnerable to, one single supplier of natural gas; draws attention to the key importance of improving links between Member States' energy networks in order to establish an integrated energy market; points out that for all these reasons there is a vital need for cooperation between the European cities and municipalities, regions, energy cooperatives and local initiatives in various sectors, the Commission, Member States, neighbouring countries, regulatory bodies, ACER, transmission system operators and gas suppliers and storage operators
Amendment 1146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Acknowledges the role of local authorities and citizens in increasing energy efficiency through better urban planning, the development of energy- related Internet and ICT technologies, cogeneration, self-consumption, heat pumps applications, modernisation, expansion and establishment of district heating and cooling systems and renovation of individual heating systems as well as increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travel models, developing and implementing Smart Cities-solutions and supporting urban eco-mobility;
Amendment 1147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Most importantly, endorses the vision of an Energy Union with citizens at its core, where citizens take ownership of the energy transition, benefit from new technologies to reduce their bills, participate actively in the market, and where vulnerable consumers are protected. To reach our goal, we have to move away from an economy driven by fossil fuels, an economy where energy is based on a centralised, supply-side approach and which relies on old technologies and outdated business models. We have to empower consumers through providing them with information, choice and through creating flexibility to manage demand as well as supply. We have to move away from a fragmented system characterised by uncoordinated national policies, market barriers and energy-isolated areas.
Amendment 1148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Calls on the Commission to set the frame for a true transnational debate involving citizens and civil society to discuss the energy transition ahead of each annual state of the energy union review process; believes that such debates should also take place in high schools and universities to raise awareness of the youngest citizens on the energy transition; calls on member states to organise in each national and regional Parliament a large event with members from other Parliaments from neighbouring countries and regions to discuss issues of common interests.
Amendment 1149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 b (new)
Paragraph 49 b (new)
49b. Recalls the commitment from 6000 European cities to be leaders in the energy transition notably through the Covenant of Mayors; urges the Commission to fully mobilise this network as well as other initiatives such as Smart Cities and Communities, Energy Cities and give them the financial and human resources to develop further; considers that parties to the Covenant of Mayors should be given priority access to European funding;
Amendment 1153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Recalls that the social dimension of Europe's energy policies should be a deep-rooted component of the Energy Union, including enhanced social dialogue and policies to support the workforce in energy and related industrial sectors, calls for a just transition involving the creation of new jobs in sectors like energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management and environmental protection services, and the promotion of new business models such as energy services companies (ESCOs) alongside the transformation of existing jobs in other sectors to ensure all workers benefit from the energy transition, notably through sectoral roadmaps on employment and skills and sectoral skills councils related to energy transition for energy intensive industries, the construction sector, and other relevant industrial sectors and related services.
Amendment 1156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Stresses that active education/training and skills strategies are fundamental in the transition to a sustainable, resource-efficient economy; calls on member states to establish targeted citizens' training and education programmes and to encourage local community-led education to reduce energy demand and produce renewable energy; emphasises that the success of the energy union requires equal access to initial as well as life-long education and training as an essential means to respond to changing circumstances and citizens' aspirations on the one hand and to the needs of the labour market on the other hand; recalls that training and up-skilling programmes to enable workers to fully reap the sustainable and local job potential of renewable energy development are indispensable.
Amendment 1157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Agrees with the European Council that a reliable, democratic and transparent governance system avoiding additional red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy should be developed and proposed in 2015 to help ensure that the EU meets its energy policy goals, with the necessary flexibility for Member States and on a basis of full respect for their freedom to determine their energy mix; Stresses that European Parliament shall play a strong and proactive role with regards to the development, implementation and review of the Energy Union governance systems;
Amendment 1158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Takes the view that clear, binding 2030 targets for climate and energy, together with an ambitious action plan and an effective governance structure implemented through European legislation, will also serve energy security; stresses that a long-term perspective is vital for creating a stable framework for the necessary investments in European energy infrastructure, and that it is therefore important that a legislative framework for climate and energy for the 2020-2030 period be put in place without delay; calls on the Commission, therefore, to bring forward all the necessary proposals as soon as possible, on the basis of the normal legislative procedure;
Amendment 1159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Expresses its deep concern about the proposals for a new governance structure for the 2030 framework, and recalls that the 2020 framework is based on full codecision between Parliament and the Council; insists that the Commission should base any legal proposal under full codecision between Parliament and the Council; expresses strongest reservations on the establishment of any "pledge and review" or a "European semester"-like approach;
Amendment 1160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Invites the Commission to come forward with a macro regional market cooperation governance structure in which the European and National Parliaments also have a role to play; this regional governance should be built on existing regional geographical and market entities to achieve greatest cost optimisation, notably i) the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP), ii) South East Europe coordination initiatives, iii) an enlarged Pentalateral forum; iv) the North Sea Offshore Grid initiative; stresses that the role of ACER should be strengthened in that context.
Amendment 1161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 c (new)
Paragraph 49 c (new)
49c. Calls on the Commission to realise cost-optimisation studies assessing and quantifying the benefits of regional cooperation in the aforementioned regions; believes that based on such studies, the Commission and the member states involved should jointly develop and implement blueprints for the establishment of these macro-regions;