The European Union is committed to the path of a clean energy transition. On the basis of electricity directives and regulation, the cornerstone of the “clean energy” package, the EU is fighting to make the European market both sober and efficient in terms of energy, greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of natural resources.

No good behaviour without binding regulations

At the end of the day, in your illuminated houses, relaxing by a heated swimming pool, with your consciousness, you probably have more energy footprint than the criticized “obese software“.

The planet is no longer large enough to welcome the voracious and productivist civilization whose current European model is the last sponsors. This change will, therefore, have to be led by actors who are aware of environmental issues and their influence on biodiversity. 

Changing our behaviour seems now acceptable, without being radical, but is it enough? Let’s make no mistake about it, there will be no energy transition with our good intentions only, we need a common and binding regulation!

Noting the extent of the damage caused by over-consumption and, as the expert in regulating our common space, the European Union is committed to the path of a clean energy transition. On the basis of electricity directives and regulation, the cornerstone of the “clean energy” package, the EU is fighting to make the European market both sober and efficient in terms of energy, greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of natural resources.

Looking towards a green horizon, the Union wishes to update its rules on the electricity market with a view to a more robust, greener and more connected European grid.

We are moving in 5 directions

“There is nothing negative in change if it is in the right direction,” said Winston Churchill. In Europe, we have defined 5 of them! Indeed, the strategy of the Energy Union has 5 dimensions. The Member States must develop integrated national energy and climate plans covering these five later for the period 2021-2030.

• Security, solidarity and trust in order to increase the number of energy sources within the Union and to ensure energy security through solidarity and cooperation between the Member States.
• A fully integrated internal energy market to ensure the free movement of energy within the Union while ensuring efficient infrastructure and the elimination of technical or regulatory constraints.
• Energy efficiency to reduce dependence on imported energy, reduce emissions and stimulate job creation and growth.
• Climate action to decarbonize the economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to create an Energy Union.
• Research, innovation and competitiveness to ensure a constant breakthrough in low-carbon and clean energy technologies.

And the Union continues to support all those who are willing to accelerate implementation 

It is in a process of energy redemption that the Union is starting its purification process by supporting local projects through financial instruments such as Horizon 2020. Several opportunities are already available to project leaders to develop major innovations such as intelligent equipment for providing consumption data; experiments in energy services while including local authorities in this Energy Union.

The vision looks promising, it needs to be accelerated. In the absence of a consolidated regulatory base for its final adoption at the end of March 2019, the Union will have to continue its efforts, as it has already demonstrated by increasing the budget for the next Europe Horizon programme with an overall budget of €100 billion.

According to Michèle Rivasi, Green MEP, “it is the most beautiful law adopted in this legislature”, it is a “historic” event and marks one more step towards the finalization of its Clean Energy Package.