All news
03/05/2012
First EU-China High Level Meeting on Energy
The EU-China bilateral relations are growing in breadth and depth through the inclusion of many new key areas of cooperation. Vice-Premier Li's visit to Brussels provides an important opportunity to further strengthen the EU-China partnership, takes stock of progress in the implementation of the 14th EU-China Summit held in February 2012 in Beijing and prepares the next Summit to be held this autumn in Brussels.
03/04/2012
The Helios project and the role of energy for Greek and European growth
Günther Oettinger will be in Athens on 3rd April to attend the High Level conference "Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Development in South-eastern Europe and the Helios Project”.
15/12/2011
Energy Roadmap 2050: a secure, competitive and low-carbon energy sector is possible
Günther Oettinger said "Only a new energy model will make our system secure, competitive and sustainable in the long-run. We now have a European framework for the necessary policy measures to be taken in order to secure the right investments."
24/11/2011
- Stress tests well on track
- EU will give extra €500 million for the decommissioning of old Soviet type nuclear reactors
27/10/2011
Commission sets out new safety standards for offshore oil and gas operations
Günther Oettinger said "Today, most oil and gas in Europe is produced offshore, often in harsh geographical and geological conditions. Given our growing energy demand, we will need all the oil and gas from beneath our seas. But we need to prevent accidents like Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico from happening. Securing best industry practices in all our offshore operations is an undisputable must. Today's proposal is a crucial step forward towards safer offshore activities to the benefit of our citizens and our environment."
19/10/2011
Connecting Europe Facility: Commission adopts plan for €50 billion boost to European networks
The European Commission has today tabled a plan which will fund €50 billion worth of investment to improve Europe's transport, energy and digital networks.
16/09/2011
High-Level Conference on the EU internal energy market
On 29 September 2011, Günther H. Oettinger organises a one day high-level conference on the completion of the EU internal energy market - 'Getting to 2014'.
07/09/2011
Speaking with one voice – the key to securing our energy interests abroad
Günther Oettinger said: "The EU energy policy has made real progress over the last several years. Now, the EU must extend the achievements of its large internal energy market beyond its borders to ensure the security of energy supplies to Europe and foster international energy partnerships. Therefore, the Commission proposes today a coherent approach in the energy relations with third countries. This need to improve internal coordination so that the EU and its Member States act together and speak with one voice."
19/07/2011
First EU sustainability schemes for biofuels get the go-ahead
Günther Oettinger said: "We need to make sure that the entire biofuels' production and supply chain is sustainable. This is why we have set the highest sustainability standards in the world. The schemes recognised on the EU level today are a good example of a transparent and reliable system which ensures that these high standards are met."
22/06/2011
Strong impetus to energy savings and energy efficiency
Günther Oettinger said: "Our proposal aims at making the way we use energy in our daily life more efficient and at helping citizens, public authorities and the industry to better manage their energy consumption, which should also lead to a reduced energy bill. It also creates an important potential for new jobs throughout the EU"
21/06/2011
European Smart Cities and Communities Initiative Launch Conference
Günther Oettinger said: "With a 80 Million Euro package we demonstrate smart integration of urban energy technologies in selected pilot cities. This will kick-start important new markets for European industry. Cities are key to the EU's objectives of 20% energy saving by 2020 and to developing a low carbon economy by 2050, because 70% of the EU's energy consumption takes place in cities."
26/05/2011
European Commission and Iraq sign Strategic Energy Declaration
Günther Oettinger said: "I welcome the commitment taken today by the Government of Iraq to supply natural gas to Europe through the Southern Corridor. As gas imports will increase in future, we need new supplier countries and Iraq is naturally amongst them".
25/05/2011
After Fukushima: EU Stress tests start on 1 June
Günther Oettinger said: "I appreciate that the Commission and the Member States' regulators have been able to agree on comprehensive and ambitious risk and safety assessments for nuclear power plants. We will put all our efforts into implementing the highest safety standards for nuclear power plants in and close to the European Union. The tough part starts now: implementing the criteria with all the necessary rigour."
13/04/2011
EU Sustainable Energy Week: Commission will announce action on smart meters for more savings
Günther Oettinger said: "When it comes to energy production and consumption, Europe needs more than ever to be on a sustainable path. It is time to invest in higher energy efficiencies and a wider use of renewable sources: this is the best way forward to ensuring safe and competitive energy for us and children. The smart grids and the use of smart meters are key for a better use of energy."
12/04/2011
Smart Grids: from innovation to deployment
Günther Oettinger said: "We will have to address the issues that stand in the way of full implementation of smart grids right now. We cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities an upgraded electricity system would offer in terms of decarbonising our economy and providing real added value for consumers."
04/04/2011
EU responds quickly to Japan's call for help as the country struggles with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March, including the crisis at some of its nuclear plants.
21/03/2011
The Hungarian EU Council Presidency convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers to review current international developments and examine their effects both on global energy markets and on the European Union’s energy sector.
08/03/2011
Günther Oettinger said: "Despite progress, our estimates show that we need a further decisive and coordinated action on energy efficiency, without which the EU will not meet its objective of 20% energy savings by 2020. It paves the way for the longer term policies needed to achieve a decarbonised and resource-efficient economy by 2050 and to place the EU at the forefront of innovation. "
02/03/2011
Günther Oettinger said: "It is our priority to remove all barriers to the internal energy market so that energy can flow freely everywhere in the EU. The single European energy market must become a reality for all businesses and consumers by 2014."
28/02/2011
Council meeting of EU's energy ministers in Brussels
On the occasion of the Council meeting of EU's energy ministers in Brussels on 28 February 2011, chaired by Hungarian minister for national development Tamás Fellegi, energy commissioner Günther Oettinger reassured those worried by the possible consqeunces of the North African political crisis of that the Union had adequate energy reserves and it was also prepared to shift the existing transport systems.
04/02/2011
Energy policy - key issues for the European Council
The European Council held its first energy meeting in Brussels, on 4 February. Led by Permanent President, Herman Van Rompuy, as acting chairman, heads of state and government adopted a final communication to confirm that safe, sustainable and affordable energy, contributes to Europe’s competitiveness, and is a priority for the EU. The Hungarian Presidency will do its best to carry out the tasks identified in the summit.
31/01/2011
Renewable Energy Targets: Commission calls on Member States to boost cooperation
Günther Oettinger said: "We have to invest much more in renewable energy and we need smart, cost-effective financing. If Member States work together and produce renewable energy where it costs less, companies and consumers and the tax payer will benefit from this."
22/12/2010
Biofuels: Commission adopts Report on indirect land use change
Günther Oettinger said: "The potential effects of indirect land use need to be properly weighed in our biofuels policy. It is in our interest to investigate this seriously and ensure to have a legislation that avoids negative side effects."
08/12/2010
Wholesale energy markets: Commission proposes rules to prevent market abuse
Günther Oettinger said: "Our energy markets are interdependent. Market abuse that takes place in one Member State often affects the prices in another Member State. It is crucial to ensure EU level comprehensive rules which guarantee that citizens can be confident that prices are formed fairly and they can fully benefit from the internal energy market."
07/12/2010
Energy: European Commission proposes to strengthen regional cooperation
Günther Oettinger said: "The Regional Initiatives have a key role in creating a truly integrated single energy market as they favour a strong cooperation including on infrastructure. We have to use their potential wisely and make sure that we reap all the benefits a well-targeted and effective regional cooperation can offer."
17/11/2010
Energy infrastructure: Commission proposes EU priority corridors for power grids and gas pipelines
Günther Oettinger said: "Energy infrastructure is key to all our energy goals: from security of supply, the integration of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency to the proper functioning of the internal market. It is therefore essential that we pull together our resources and accelerate the realisation of EU priority projects."
10/11/2010
Energy - Commission presents its new strategy towards 2020
Günther Oettinger said: "The energy challenge is one of the greatest tests for us all. Putting our energy system onto a new, more sustainable and secure path may take time but ambitious decisions need to be taken now. To have an efficient, competitive and low-carbon economy we have to europeanise our energy policy and focus on a few but pressing priorities."
03/11/2010
Nuclear waste: Commission proposes safety standards for final disposal
Günther Oettinger said: "Safety concerns all citizens and all EU countries, whether they are in favour or against nuclear energy. We have to make sure that we have the highest safety standards in the world to protect our citizen, our water and the ground against nuclear contamination. Safety is indivisible. If an accident happens in one country, it can have devastating effects also in others."
13/10/2010
Offshore oil drilling: European Commission envisages EU safety rules
Günther Oettinger said: "Safety is non negotiable. We have to make sure that a disaster similar to the one in the Gulf of Mexico will never happen in European waters. This is why we propose that best practices already existing in Europe will become the standard throughout the European Union."
08/09/2010
Informal Energy Council: 'The development of a modern and integrated European grid'
The Informal Energy Council was held in Brussels on 6 and 7 September 2010. This informal ministerial meeting focused on three issues: consumer protection, the grid infrastructure and energy efficiency.
05/07/2010
Renewables account for 62% of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU in 2009
The "Renewable Energy Snapshots" report, published today by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009
10/06/2010
Commission sets up system for certifying sustainable biofuels
The Commission decided on 10 June 2010 to encourage industry, governments and NGOs to set up certification schemes for all types of biofuels, including those imported into the EU. It laid down what the schemes must do to be recognised by the Commission.
29/04/2010
Radioactive Waste: Large majority of citizens in favour of European legislation
The European Commission has published on 29 April 2010 a Eurobarometer survey showing that an overwhelming majority of Europeans would find it useful to have European legislation on radioactive waste management. The concern for the safety risk related to radioactive waste is shared both in countries with nuclear power plants and those with no nuclear energy.
22/04/2010
On 22 April, Commissioner Günther Oettinger has delivered a speech on wind energy at the EWEC annual conference in Warsaw.
25/03/2010
EU Sustainable Energy Week: electric bike race
Commissioners - Guenther Oettinger, Johannes Hahn and Janez Potocnik - have taken part in a race on electric bikes in front of the Berlaymont building to celebrate sustainable mobility. This race was organized by the Region Steiermark (AT) within the framework of the “ EU Sustainable Energy Week” to showcase a best practice example of sustainable energy use.
23/03/2010
Commission awards Sustainable Energy Prizes
The winners of the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards 2010 were announced today at the Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels. The five winners were chosen from among 272 projects.
17/02/2010
Commission creates two new Directorates-General for Energy and Climate Action
The European Commission has today taken a number of decisions to implement the organisational consequences of the allocation of portfolios to Commissioners.
10/02/2010
Günther Oettinger said: "I am delighted that the European Parliament has now approved the new European Commission and I am looking forward to my work as Commissioner for Energy".
14/01/2010
Hearing before the European Parliament
"Over the next five years I want to contribute, with you, towards a Europeanisation of our energy policy", said Mr Oettinger". We need a comprehensive paradigm shift in energy policy", added the candidate Commissioner, who saw the "decarbonisation of the energy supplies" of the EU and greater energy security as priorities for his term of office.
