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The EU and Energy Security

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Billions of euro are spent every day on energy to heat our homes, power our industries, transport our goods and move us around from A to B. We often take it for granted but we really do depend on having reliable, affordable supplies of electricity, gas and fuel for everyday life.

We also have to protect our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions so we need to use renewable energy sources whenever possible and ensure we cut down on waste at all times.

But no matter how much energy we save, more action still needs to taken by Europe's political leaders over the next few years to secure our energy sources and avoid shortages and crippling price increases in the future.

Ensuring a steady supply of reasonably priced energy while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a big challenge, but it's a top priority for the EU. And if everybody plays their part Europe will become cleaner and more energy efficient over the next decade with enough energy to meet all our needs.

Consumer friendly safe energy

New energy

	Energy shortages Ireland is no stranger to energy shortages. Back in 1973, when oil supplying nations in the Middle East raised prices and restricted exports over western support for Israel, petrol rationing was introduced and motorists queued for hours to fill their tanks. A few years later in 1979, fallout from the Iranian revolution sent petrol prices in Ireland spiralling again causing widespread inflation, which in turn led to higher wage demands and strike action by workers. The end result was an economic crisis that lasted well into the next decade, and it demonstrated just how crucial energy supplies are to our way of life. We also experienced unpredictable power blackouts in the '70s and '80s due to industrial disputes at Ireland's only electricity supplier at the time, the then fully state-owned Electricity Supply Board (ESB). Thankfully, energy supplies in Ireland are now usually dependable but other EU countries have suffered serious shortages in recent times caused by the knock-on effects of an ongoing gas price dispute between Russia and Ukraine which closed vital pipelines into Europe. The shortages have highlighted not only Europe's vulnerability to supply, but also the urgent need for the EU to become more energy efficient and develop new sources of renewable energy.
	Responsible energy Securing Europe's energy supplies has to be done in conjunction with meeting our obligations to protect the environment. Climate change is a threat to all the world's nations and scientific research has shown that burning coal, oil and gas contributes to global warming. Ireland is playing its part in tackling climate change by agreeing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, which was ratified by all EU member states in 2002 Ireland's energy industries accounted for an estimated 21 per cent of total national greenhouse gas emissions in 2009 , the second largest source after agriculture. Energy sector emissions are caused mostly by power generation and an increase in the number of households in Ireland over the past two decades has placed greater demands for heating and electricity. Most power generation in Ireland has been traditionally fossil fuel based but since the beginning of the 21st century we've been using less carbon intensive fuels and this, coupled with an increase in the use of renewable energy, has allowed us to increase electricity production while at the same time reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, emissions in 2009 were 10.7 per cent lower than in 2008 and Ireland is on target to meet its Kyoto Protocol obligations by 2012. However, we need to continue to work towards further reductions, not only to protect our environment but also to help secure our energy needs for future generations.
	Energy challenge The energy challenge is one of the greatest tests faced by Europe. Rising prices and increasing dependence on imports jeopardises our energy security and hampers our competitiveness. Action needs to be taken sooner rather than later to address these problems and key decisions also need to be taken to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. On top of that, it's estimated that massive investments of around €1 trillion will be needed in the next decade to make Europe’s installations and infrastructure fit for future energy needs. Many of the solutions to these problems will come from the European Commission’s Energy 2020 Strategy, which outlines the way forward to secure, safe and affordable energy for citizens and businesses. The strategy is one of the Europe 2020 seven flagship initiatives, which are designed to stimulate smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for Europe.
	Energy efficiency Energy efficiency is one of the central objectives of Energy 2020 as it's the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions, improve energy security and increase competitiveness. It also provides tangible rewards to all EU citizens who could benefit from estimated annual energy savings of up to €1,000 per household. The EU had set a target of 20 per cent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020 under ambitious energy and climate change objectives adopted by the European Council in 2007, but that deadline is proving difficult to meet. However, the European Commission is due to present a new Energy Efficiency Action Plan in 2011 that will include proposals for far reaching measures designed to put the target back within reach. Member states, including Ireland, are now preparing their own ambitious national energy efficiency plans to help achieve the goal. Ireland will be updating the first National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), published in May 2009, which set out 90 actions to achieve 20 per cent energy efficiency savings across public, business, residential, transport and energy supply sectors.
	Fair energy market The Energy 2020 strategy also calls for a fairer, integrated energy market in Europe. European Commission proposals published in December 2010 are designed to help achieve that by obliging energy traders to respect new rules designed to stamp out unfair manipulation of markets. The Commission is also working on removing barriers to selling electricity and gas across EU borders to ensure the free movement of energy throughout Europe. It's hoped that the internal energy market will be completed by 2014 and the Commission will regularly report on progress until then.
	Securing supply The EU needs solid, reliable and smart energy networks to ensure continuous security of supplies. Existing infrastructure in Europe is simply not up to the energy challenge as it's too old, too fragmented and already overloaded at several critical points. In March 2010 the European Commission selected 43 major energy projects, which when completed will increase security of energy supply by creating cross-border infrastructure. The projects will be helped through funding of almost €4 billion which will come from the EU’s Economic Recovery Package as the work will help stimulate employment. The new infrastructure will reduce the potential energy isolation of remoter parts of the EU like the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia), Malta and Ireland. The projects are designed to improve the supply of gas and electricity throughout Europe by creating a series of interconnecting priority 'energy corridors'. One of the projects is the East West Interconnector, which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. The connection is being built by EirGrid between Rush North Beach, Co Dublin in Ireland and Barkby Beach, North Wales in Britain and work will be overseen by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The 260 kilometre long connector will help ensure Ireland always has enough electricity to meet our needs into the future and it can also be used to export excess energy produced here to markets in the UK. The East West Interconnector, which is receiving €110 million of EU funding, also has the potential to open up the energy markets in both Ireland and Britain and create competition between suppliers.
	Consumer friendly safe energy Securing energy supplies, promoting efficiency and opening up new markets will help consumers all over Europe access energy at affordable prices. Energy monopolies are being brought to an end and since July 2007 all EU households have had a choice of gas and electricity suppliers. New regulations have also been introduced forcing member states to take action to prevent disruption to energy supplies. In light of the devastating Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the European Commission is reviewing conditions of all offshore oil and gas extraction operations and plans to introduce measures that will guarantee the highest level of safety throughout the EU and the rest of the world. The legal framework for nuclear safety and security will also be enhanced through a review of the Nuclear Safety Directive, the implementation of a Nuclear Waste Directive and other safety measures.
	New energy Irish households and businesses depend heavily on conventional energy technologies that rely on the burning of fossil fuels for energy. These traditional energy sources consist primarily of coal, natural gas and oil, but the problem is that these fuels will eventually run out. Some experts predict oil reserves will be depleted within just a few decades and the burning of fossil fuels also produces large amounts of greenhouse gasses that pollute the atmosphere. In an effort to deal with the problem, the EU has endorsed a comprehensive plan that calls for a radical change in attitude and investment in new, cleaner sources of energy. The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) is designed to accelerate the development of low and zero carbon energy technologies like solar and wind power that can be deployed all over Europe to replace or supplement conventional fuels. The implementation of SET-Plan has already started, drawing on innovative research and development (R&D) achievements throughout EU member states. As well as the research community, SET-Plan involves industry, member states and the European Commission coming together in risk-sharing, public-private partnerships to deliver new sources of energy to Europe’s homes and businesses. Priority sources that can provide this energy - wind, solar power, smart electricity grids and carbon capture and storage - have been identified as focal points of the plan. A further initiative on energy efficiency in cities aimed at stimulating the use of low carbon energy technologies will demonstrate the feasibility of rapidly progressing towards Europe’s energy and climate objectives. Between 25 to 30 European cities will be at the forefront of the transition to a low carbon economy by 2020 under this initiative. SET-Plan’s main targets include generating 20 per cent of electricity in the EU from wind and 15 per cent from solar power by 2020.