Energy policy

Given the size and population of the European Union, the EU is now the largest importer and the second largest consumer of energy in the world with foreign imported energy making up half of the energy consumed and this dependence is only expected to rise. In order to combat this dependence and forgo any possible energy crisis', the EU set up a single Energy Community to establish common energy market rules and objectives among the members, which include the EU, Bulgaria, Romania, and seven southeast European countries .

In a Green Paper written in August 2006 regarding Europe's energy policy, the Commission identified three main objectives that an EU energy policy should fulfill :

• Sustainable with a concern towards environmentally friends forms of energy

• Allow healthy competition that provides affordable prices for consumers

• Ensure a secure and continuous supply and decrease the dependence on foreign sources

The Commission has also identified six areas in which the EU should focus its work and resources:

• Complete the internal market for energy (electricity and gas)

• Secure the EU's energy supply

• Promote a coherent and united external energy policy on the international stage

• Seek to find sustainable energy sources from a variety of sources, exploring possible alternative sources

• Establish an environmentally friendly plan that combats the effects of climate change

• Utilize Europe's diverse technology towards European energy

The funding for energy policy is divided into the following programmes:

Intelligent Energy for Europe Programme (2007-2013), which is a part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, incorporates programmes in specific areas:

• ALTENER (renewable energy sources)

• SAVE (efficient energy use)

• COOPENER (International focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency)

• STEER (transportation energy).

The 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013), is the main source of research funding in the EU and in the area of Energy, it can be broken down into four areas of activity and focus:

• Utilize and structure the European Research Area,

• Joint Research Centre (JRC)

• Nuclear Energy

• Euratom

Euratom

• Research and development nuclear energy for peaceful purposes

• Implement Safety Standards

• Common market for nuclear energy equipment

• Adequate supply of nuclear energy

More information:
DG Energy and Transport