Interesting but not really revolutionary ideas

Do something new with the old. This may be the challenge this week to the heads of State and Government gathered for the Spring Summit. On 23 and 24 March, the latter will indeed consider the Green Paper on energy published earlier this month by the Commission and dedicated to the development of the basic principles of a common energy policy. Highly anticipated, this publication contains but few truly new ideas.

In the field of gas and electricity, the Commission intends first to hasten the advent of a single European market. It provides for the creation of a European network code to facilitate access to the network by harmonising procedures and refers to the establishment of a European regulator and a European centre for energy networks. Interesting but not really revolutionary ideas... The creation of a European centre for energy networks is a project for a long time the Etso, the European association of managers of electricity transmission networks, which sees here lead efforts. Same observation as to the concept of European regulator. This proposal is advanced for a long time by the Commission, which runs at this level to the opposition of national regulators. "European regulators have not want lower Pavilion, explains André Ferron, co-Chair of the energy of the association Confrontations Europe Group." The constitution of a right of veto of the Commission on the regulators would already constitute a significant advance in the matter. "In short, the proposals in the Green Paper will not revolutionize the debate on the functioning of the gas and electricity market. "In any event, the only important thing in this area, it is the sector inquiry", slip a player in the field.

Security of supply, the Commission also to small not advance. It proposes the development of a mechanism to "ensure rapid solidarity and possible assistance when a country is in trouble" and suggested the creation of a European energy supply Observatory to monitor "the energy market in a way to quickly detect risk of shortage of infrastructure and supply". An idea that echoes the balance carried out by the France or the United Kingdom in electricity, to acquire visibility for the next five to ten years. In the light of recent events, the Commission considers otherwise necessary to re-examine the current directives on the electricity and gas supplies. All to integrate such new proposals in the field of gas stocks. However remains to be seen what will become of these good intentions. Initially, the directive on security of electricity supply should be echoed to the blackout of summer 2003 and mark the first not a common energy policy in Europe. Published in February, its result (barely 11 articles) finally proved modest with regard to the initial ambitions, leaving a wide margin of manoeuvre to the Member States.

The Green Paper reaffirms the prerogatives of States

Third topic addressed by the Commission, the European energy mix. But then again, Brussels shows caution. The Green Paper merely to talk about the opportunities offered by the renewable and nuclear and reaffirmed the prerogatives of the Member States in the matter. "Dedicated to the mix energy could be the new facet of European energy policy, considers Juho Lipponen, head of policy unit energy in the European electricity industry association Eurelectric. It is revealed in the end quite shy and clearly shows the will of the Commission not to hit the Member States. "A caution that sparked criticism from advocates of the environment as representing the nuclear industry. The first criticized the Green Paper the lack of clear objectives for the renewable while the latter are concerned about the low place to nuclear. "We expected a clearer comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources," says Laurent Furedi, head of unit in the European association of Foratom nuclear industry. Anxious to avoid confrontation, the Green Paper proposes instead to carry out each year a strategic review of energy policy for Europe and to agree on overall objectives, as for example a minimum proportion of energy to low-carbon Europe.

The influence of the countries of Eastern

In comparison, the book is much more disert on the development of the "energy technologies" and the protection of the environment. The Green Paper proposes to establish a road map for renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts. A theme dear to the European Commissioner for energy, Andris Piebalgs, for which the Commission could rely on the action plan scheduled for this year. In this framework, the Green Paper envisages including information campaigns, a pan-European system of "white certificates" trading and the "efforts" to improve the energy efficiency of transportation. The whole to reduce our consumption of energy by 20 by 2020.

Last area mentioned by the Green Paper: external relations. "The development of a common external energy policy is in my opinion one of the most important priorities of the Green Paper, said Andris Piebalgs at the presentation of the publication. Europe must use its economic weight and political with much more force than in the past. "In this context, the Commission proposes to develop a Treaty establishing a pan-European energy community, to identify the European priorities for the construction of new infrastructure and to conclude a new energy partnership with the Russia. A way to respond to the concerns arising from the gas crisis of January, but the demands of the new Member States also. "The members of the Eastern countries are very sensitive to issues of security of supply, said Laurent Furedi.". Since enlargement, there was a change of approach in the matter. "At this level, relations with the Russia should also serve as a focal point. "The interests of the 25 are greatest in this area than their differences, adds Jan Horst Keppler, Professor at the université Paris-Dauphine, which should help to build a common approach."

Security of supply, energy mix, operation of the gas and electricity markets... Can what balance be done the priorities shown by the Green Paper of the Commission and the proposals it contains In General, they do surprise person, even if the weight given to external energy policy is a novelty. "The timing was very short, explains a lobbyist." Following the Hampton Court Summit, the Commission had only a few months to write the Green Paper. Which is very little, in view of the validations of the Brussels administration system. At the time, it mostly reused elements before it. "So far, the result is not necessarily to displease to the industry. "It's true, there is nothing revolutionary in the Green Paper, recognized Pierre Bornard, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Etso, but it is rather good news." This shows that the Commission is able to hear and repeat the ideas put forward by the actors who are in the front line. It is the opposite which was worrying. ""In any event, this are not leaders in an Office in Brussels that will find only the miracle solution to Europe's energy problems, adds a player in the gas. It is the industry take charge and make proposals.

A more collegial work structure

Remains that if the ideas are not new, the approach has even changed. Like the Group of high-level, formed last February, Brussels now has the will to build a common energy policy based on a triptych competitiveness, security of supply and environment. "Is more fragmented management of problems in a more collegial structure of work", says one close to the Commission. "Previously, it was mainly DG Tren that asserted the need for a common energy policy, says Peter Claes, Vice-President of the association of Belgian électro-intensifs Febeliec, now it is all the Commission that agrees." It is a significant breakthrough.