EU approves new stringent emission limits in Italian capacity mechanism
The European Commission has approved the introduction of stringent CO2 emission limits in the Italian capacity mechanism, noting that the measure will contribute to ensuring security of supply and increase the level of environmental...
Cañete calls for establishing effective carbon markets
International carbon markets and carbon pricing will play a major role in the fight against climate change and help advance ambitious climate action, Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete said, adding: “But we...
The challenge of being an ambassador to Ukraine
Among the biggest challenges for foreign diplomats is an election year in Ukraine. The unpredictability that never wanes, even after the results are in, offers very fertile ground for developing professional skills of the...
Vella calls for the implementation of EU environmental laws
Full implementation of EU environmental legislation could save the EU economy around €55 billion every year, EU Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella said in Brussels, citing a recent Commission report.
At the...
EIB loan to finance power cable between Crete and mainland Greece
ATHENS - The Greek island of Crete took a step closer towards energy independence and cutting CO2 emissions on 9 May, following a deal between Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO or ADMIE) and...
EU, France and Germany discuss energy innovation cooperation
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, and French Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Bruno Lemaire met in Paris on 2 May to discuss cooperation in...
Baltic Pipe project deal to boost Central Europe’s energy security
The European Commission has endorsed a €215 million Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) grant for the Baltic Pipe project that is expected to boost energy security of Poland but also the Baltics and Central Europe.
The...
EU Energy Union tackles security and transition
The fourth report on the State of the Energy Union, adopted on 9 April, shows that since the start of the Commission of President Jean-Claude Juncker, the energy union has strengthened energy security, including...
EU Parliament toughens CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans
Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted on 27 March plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and vans by 2030, already informally agreed with EU ministers.
MEPs and EU ministers have agreed on...
MEPs adopt new rules making EU electricity market cleaner
New rules making the EU's electricity market fit for the future and putting the consumer at the center of the energy transition were approved by the European Parliament on 26 March - an important...
European industries urge EU leaders to boost climate action
Business, local governments, trade unions, and NGOs have urged EU leaders to rise up to the challenge of climate action and speed up Europe’s transition to a sustainable society.
“Unprecedented citizen mobilisations are taking place...
Clean vehicle roadmap reaches EU Council Presidency
A roadmap towards clean vehicles, which lays out actions that European Commission, the Member States and industry should take to realise a full shift to clean cars, has been handed over to the presidency...
Greece-Cyprus-Israel EastMed gas pipeline reaches Washington
Greece, Cyprus, and Israel will reportedly sign an intergovernmental agreement for the EastMed gas pipeline in Tel Aviv on 20 March in the presence of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a sign...
EU urges China to peak its emissions before 2030
The European Commission on 12 March urged China to peak its CO2 emissions before 2030. “China is at the same time the world’s largest emitter and investor in renewable energy. We call on China...
Energy labels to help EU consumers increase efficiency, save money
Given the complexity of energy labels, the European Commission adopted on 11 March a new energy efficiency labels, making them more understandable for consumers and help them make better-informed purchasing choices. The new labels...
Pompeo spearheads US efforts to bring East Med gas to EU
ATHENS – The United States is very supportive of plans to develop gas reserves in the East Mediterranean and export them to Europe, lessening the bloc’s reliance to Russia, a leading Israeli energy expert...
UK Government, offshore wind sector deal to boost capacity
A partnership between the UK Government and the offshore wind industry announced on March 4 will mean that Britain will get 30% of its electricity from offshore wind by 2030. The new offshore Sector...
EU funding to support climate and environmental goals
The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Development committees have adopted their joint position on the proposed Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), supporting development, climate and environmental goals.
The Parliament improved on the European...
Low-carbon benchmarks deal reached by EU Council and Parliament
The European Parliament and the Member States reached a political agreement on February 25 on a new generation of low-carbon benchmarks needed to help boost investment in sustainable projects and assets. The European Parliament and...
Exxon potential gas find in East Med boosts EU pipeline hopes
Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Italy are expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement for the EU-backed EastMed pipeline project in March to transport natural gas from Israel’s Leviathan field and Cypriot fields via Crete to...
EU Foreign Ministers call for strengthened climate fight
The European Council on February 18 adopted conclusions on climate diplomacy after the EU's foreign affairs ministers welcomed the Commission’s strategic long-term vision for a climate neutral Europe.
The ministers also called for urgent and...
German MEPs Brok and Keller reiterate opposition to Nord Stream-2
STRASBOURG – Two members of the European Parliament on February 12 renewed their opposition to the Nord Stream-2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, reiterating earlier concerns that it would boost the European...
EU tougher regulations unlikely to stop Nord Stream-2
EU ambassadors have reportedly agreed to toughen regulations on the Nord Stream-2 on February 8, but they have decided not to back plans that might halt the completion of the natural gas pipeline from...
EU and Norway focus on natural gas role in Europe’s energy transition
Climate Action and Energy Miguel Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, and Norway’s Petroleum and Energy Minister Kjell Børge Freiberg discussed on February 5 the role of natural gas, and decarbonisation in the industry as well...
The future of Georgia’s energy policy
In 2014, Georgia signed an Association Agreement with the EU to implement the bloc’s policies for sustainable energy development. By signing the Agreement and joining the Energy Community, Georgia took on the obligation to...
Poland mulls softening the rules around onshore wind
The Polish government intends to soften restrictions affecting onshore wind farms to increase volumes of green electricity in an effort to lower energy prices and improve the quality of life of Polish citizens, the...
MEDREG accesses electricity investments in Mediterranean
The Association of Mediterranean Energy Regulators (MEDREG) published on February 1 a report, which calls for a new approach toward the assessment of electricity infrastructure investments in the Mediterranean region.
The report, entitled Regulatory options...
Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Italy show political will for EastMed gas pipe
ATHENS - There is political will from Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Italy to proceed with the construction of the EastMed natural gas pipeline, Israel’s Orit Ganor, Director of the Natural Gas International Trade, Ministry...
Member States approve investment for EU energy infrastructure
Member States of the European Union voted on January 23 on a Commission proposal to invest almost €800 million in key European energy infrastructure projects with major cross-border benefits. According to the Commission, the...
US and Germany spar over Nord Stream-2
The US' Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, has reportedly sent letters to German companies building the Russia-backed Nord Stream-2 pipeline, warning them that they risk being subjected to "significant sanctions" if they did not pull out...
EU energy policy to boost security of supply in the Balkans
ATHENS – The European Union and member states need to work together to increase energy security, which is a goal that will be continued during Romania’s six month EU Presidency.
“Yes, definitely, we need to...
Investors press Brussels to abandon coal-generated electricity
A group of 95 Institutional Investors group overseeing more than €10 trillion in assets are calling for an end to the use of coal in Europe and industrialised nations by 2030.
The letter was also...
EU electricity market rules deal wraps up Clean Energy package
After marathon negotiations, new rules for making the EU’s electricity market work better have been provisionally agreed by negotiators from the European Council, the Parliament and the Commission in the early hours of December...
Greece, Cyprus, Israel to discuss gas exports to Europe
A trilateral Greece-Cyprus-Israel summit will take place in Beersheba on December 20 where host Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras, and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades are expected to boost cooperation...
Kerch Strait closure calls Russian projects in Europe into question
Russia’s seizure of Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait - the narrow passage the separates the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea and strategically separates Ukraine's occupied Crimea region from the Russian mainland...
US calls on Germany to drop Nord Stream-2, warns companies of sanctions risk
The United States urged Germany to drop its political support for Russian monopoly Gazprom’s Nord Stream-2 project and warned companies that are involved in the construction of the gas pipeline that they face the risk...
European and East Med energy regulators sign cooperation arrangement
At a signing ceremony held in Vienna on December 12, three regional associations of energy regulatory authorities signed a cooperation arrangement that will strengthen regulatory cooperation between energy regulators across Europe through to the...