The EU depends on imported fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal) for about 56 % of its energy needs (gross energy consumption), which in 2021 represented an energy bill of around EUR 300 billion. The domestic production of renewable energy sources has increased significantly in recent years to 22 % of total demand. The European Union can aspire to achieve energy independence through the deployment of existing and emerging technologies, thus reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels. What are the developments and societal implications associated with these technologies?

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - What if the EU were energy independent?

Each Member State independently decides on its own energy mix and use of nuclear energy. However, there are common rules and standards on nuclear energy, the basis for which is the Treaty on the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom Treaty) signed in 1957. All current EU Member States are party to it and it has remained largely unchanged throughout the years.

EPRS policy podcast - Nuclear energy in the European Union

Today, renewable hydrogen makes up a small fraction of total hydrogen production. Most hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels and, although cheaper, it causes carbon emissions. Demand for renewable hydrogen is expected to grow quickly as the need for climate-friendly solutions increases. To avoid a situation where renewable electricity used for hydrogen production is diverted away from other uses, it is important to ensure additional renewable electricity capacity for renewable hydrogen production, or ‘aditionality.’

EPRS policy podcast - EU rules for renewable hydrogen

In this podcast we explore the potential ecological benefits of increasing our capacity to store energy, especially from renewable sources. As the availability of some renewable energy sources is variable and intermittent, devising new energy storage capacities could ensure energy security and reliability and help the EU in its efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - What if increased energy storage could help fix climate change?

In this podcast, we look at the potential gains of more European action versus the costs of non-Europe in the area of energy, one of the 50 policy areas investigated in one of the latest studies from EPRS: “Increasing European added value in an age of global challenges: Mapping the cost of non-Europe (2022-2032)”. We analyse how closer EU cooperation in this area could bring substantial economic, social and environmental benefits.

EPRS podcast policy - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Transformation of EU energy systems

L'energia solare sembra avere molti vantaggi: è pulita e a buon mercato, ed è la fonte di energia con i tassi di crescita più elevati nell'ultimo decennio. Può essere usata per produrre elettricità, calore e ridurre la nostra dipendenza dalle importazioni. Restano però diverse sfide da affrontare. Scopriamo come l'Unione europea intende superarle e in che modo l'energia solare può aiutare la transizione verso la neutralità climatica.

L'energia solare nell'Unione europea - italiano

The EU solar energy strategy proposed under the REPowerEU plan aims to make solar energy a cornerstone of the EU energy system. Boosting renewable energy is also an important part of the European Green Deal in the context of the green transition towards climate neutrality. Solar energy is affordable, clean and has been the fastest-growing energy source in the last decade. It can be used for electricity and heating, while also helping reduce EU dependency on energy imports by replacing them with domestic production. EU measures to boost solar energy include making the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of new buildings obligatory within a specific timeframe, streamlining permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, improving the skills base in the solar sector and boosting the EU's capacity to manufacture photovoltaic panels.

EPRS policy podcast - Solar energy in the EU

Russia is the largest exporter of oil, natural gas and coal to the EU. Even before the war on Ukraine, natural gas prices had significantly increased and the current crisis will no doubt have a major impact on price levels in Europe. The EU will need to see how to diversify its supply and increase its energy independence. In this podcast, we will find out more.

Russia's war on Ukraine: Implications for EU energy supply

The FuelEU Maritime regulation seeks to steer the EU maritime sector towards decarbonisation. The proposal sets up a fuel standard for ships and introduces a requirement for the most polluting ship types to use onshore electricity when at berth. It puts the responsibility for compliance on the shipping company. The legislative outcome of this proposal will be closely linked to the simultaneously proposed rules on including the maritime sector in the EU emissions trading system, as well as those on alternative fuels infrastructure, energy taxation and renewable energy. Moreover, some of the proposed rules do not concern EU shipping only but have wider implications for international maritime shipping, which is regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

EPRS policy podcast - Sustainable maritime fuels - 'Fit for 55' package: the FuelEU Maritime proposal

European Parliament 23 March 2022 - One month after Russia attacked Ukraine, MEPs during the plenary session unanimously condemned the brutal invasion and urged the EU to further sanction Moscow and protect the European economy.

War in Ukraine: keep the pressure up on Russia and aim for energy independence

La normativa europea garantisce importanti diritti ai consumatori di gas ed energia elettrica. Ecco alcuni esempi.

Cosa fa l'Europa per i consumatori di energia.

Clean energy is energy produced and consumed with a minimum of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

The transition to clean energy requires large investments in all areas of energy use: electricity generation, transport, heating and cooling, and also industrial activities. Reducing energy demand by means of energy efficiency measures also helps to lower the emissions associated with energy use.

Clean energy

The energy union strategy aims at building an energy union that gives EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.&nbsp;The five pillars of the Energy Union are:&nbsp;accelerating decarbonisation with the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and renewables at is core; scaling up energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and safety; strengthening the internal market; research, innovation and competitiveness.&nbsp; Since 2021, Europe has experienced a hike in energy prices that is part of a global surge. The&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;in 2022 has further affected the energy markets, causing new increases of energy prices and concerns over the EU’s ability to secure its energy supply. &nbsp;

Energy union

Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the disruption of Russian gas supplies has led to skyrocketing electricity prices and market volatility, leading the Commission and member states to consider new policy options such as capping prices or decoupling of gas and electricity prices. In recent months, Parliament and Council have adopted an&nbsp;emergency plan for filling gas reserves.

The Commission has also launched the&nbsp;RepowerEU&nbsp;plan to reduce the&nbsp;dependency from Russia, diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation as well as&nbsp;EU-wide gas consumption reduction measures.

This can&nbsp;reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of the year. The EC came with proposals how to deal with the problem during the SOTEU speech of Ursula von der Leyen.

European Union countries agreed on 30th September on series of meeasures, including energy levies on windfall profits of energy companies or binding targets to reduce electricity consumption.

Energy prices

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

ITRE - Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

A European Energy Union will ensure that Europe has secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy.

Wiser energy use while fighting climate change is both a spur for new jobs and growth and an investment in Europe's future.

The state of the Energy Union shows progress made since the Energy Union Framework Strategy was adopted to bring about the transition to a low-carbon, secure and competitive economy. 
The “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package consists of several legislative proposals and three communications on the energy market, energy efficiency, renewables, eco-design and governance of the Energy Union.

Energy union -  8th parliamentary term

Kadri Simson, born on 22 January 1977 in Tartu, is an Estonian politician.

After the hearing by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner-designate, Energy

By making energy more efficient, Europeans will see their energy bills reduced. In addition, Europe will diminish its reliance on external suppliers of oil and gas, improve local air quality and protect the climate.

By 2030, energy efficiency in the EU must have improved by 32.5%, whereas the share of energy from renewables should make up at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption. Both targets are to be reviewed by 2023. These targets can only be raised, not lowered. Lower energy bills and the right to become a renewable self-consumer will be the result.

#EUelections2019 - Clean energy and energy efficiency

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market.

Plenary debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

Press conference by Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), rapporteur on the energy performance of buildings directive

Press conference: Energy performance of buildings

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector are debated by plenary. 

The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved.
New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035.

Member states also have to adopt measures to decarbonise heating systems and phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling with fossil fuel boilers being completely phased e out by 2040.

Plenary Debate - Energy performance of buildings

EP Plenary session - Withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Joint debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

STOA workshop ' Strategic autonomy and the future of nuclear energy in the EU: use and availability of HALEU '

Press conference on the energy performance of buildings directive

EP Plenary session - Energy performance of buildings

EP Plenary session - Improving the Union’s protection against market manipulation on the wholesale energy market

EP Plenary session - Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis

EP Plenary session - Geothermal energy

EP Plenary session - Small modular reactors

EP Plenary session - Commission statements - State of the Energy Union

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Energy Charter Treaty: next steps

DEVE Workshop - Developing countries’ energy needs and priorities under a sustainable development perspective

Press conference on the revision of the renewable energy directive

EP Plenary session - Renewable energy directive

AGRI Public hearing on '  Energy efficiency on farms '

TRAN Committee - Meeting of the TTF on ‘ A competitive and sustainable Tourism addressing the global energy crisis and emissions’ reduction targets ’

ITRE Committee - Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum

Conference ' Citizen energy for successful energy transition - Reframing the narrative, reforming the system

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ITRE

Joint committee on International Trade and committee on Industry, Research and Energy

INTA

Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly - Meeting of the Committee on Energy Security

DEPA

Press conference by Ciarán CUFFE, rapporteur on the energy performance of buildings directive

Joint committee on Industry, Research and Energy and committee on Budgets

BUDG

Joint committee on Industry, Research and Energy and committee on Foreign Affairs

AFET

Joint Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ENVI

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), and Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Second part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. First part of MEPs debate.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market. Opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) on behalf of IMCO Committee, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Reform of the energy and electricity markets: opening statements by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL), Jens GEIER (S&D, DE), Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteurs, Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) IMCO Committee and Didier REYNDERS, EU Commissioner for Justice

After the debate and the vote, Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), rapporteur, holds a press conference on a new directive to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

MEPs debate on the following topics: The subscription by the EU to additional shares in the capital of the EBRD; Regulation (EU) No 2022/869 of the EP and of the Council; Industrial Emissions Directive; Industrial Emissions Portal; Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures; Amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating; Use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area; Amending certain financial services and investment; Energy performance of buildings; Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements; Green Claims Directive; Liability for defective products; Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products; European Maritime Safety Agency; Council decision inviting Member States to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention; and Extending Rule 168 of EP's rules.

Voting session, including the final vote on the Energy performance of buildings Directive

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector is debated on Monday and voted on by plenary on Tuesday. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved. New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. Closing statements by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Ciaran CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur.

Energy performance of buildings: Closing statements by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Ciaran CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector is debated on Monday and voted on by plenary on Tuesday. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved. New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. First part of MEPs debate.

Energy performance of buildings: MEPs debate (part 1)

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector is debated on Monday and voted on by plenary on Tuesday. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved. New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035. Second part of MEPs debate.

Energy performance of buildings: MEPs debate (part 2)

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector is debated on Monday and voted on by plenary on Tuesday. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved. New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. Opening statements by Ciaran CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Radan KANEV (EPP, BG), EP Committee on Environment. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Energy performance of buildings: Opening statements by Ciaran CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), Rapporteur, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Radan KANEV (EPP, BG), EP Committee on Environment

MEPs debate and vote on a new directive to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved. New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035.

Energy performance of buildings: extracts from the debate and from the vote

MEPs debate Mr Navalny’s death with Commission and Belgian Presidency representatives. They are expected to condemn the Russian regime and President Vladimir Putin, and discuss the dangerous situation facing opposition figures, journalists and human rights defenders in Russia. Closing statements by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and by Mathieu MICHEL for the Council - Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation.

The murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia: closing statements by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary

MEPs debate Mr Navalny’s death with Commission and Belgian Presidency representatives. They are expected to condemn the Russian regime and President Vladimir Putin, and discuss the dangerous situation facing opposition figures, journalists and human rights defenders in Russia. Mathieu MICHEL for the Council - Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation, in charge of Administrative Simplification, Privacy and Buildings Administration and by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy.

The murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU support to political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia: opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary and Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

The "Energy Cells" is a project that consists of a system of four energy storage devices (batteries) with a total capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) and 200 megawatt-hours (MWh) into Lithuania’s energy system. Energy Cells has four 50 MW and 50 MWh energy storage facilities at transformer substations in Vilnius, Šiauliai, Alytus, and Utena. It is currently the largest project in the Baltics and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Energy Cells received 87.6 million euros from the NextGenerationEU, the Recovery and Resilience Facility under the “New Generation Lithuania” plan for the installation of the energy storage system. The total value of the project, which will provide Lithuania with the instantaneous power reserve and the possibility to operate autonomously in isolated mode, is of 109 million euros.

Infoclip: Integrated system for batteries "Energy Cells" - Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) - Vilnius (Lithuania)

The Parliament debate on a new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones. Opening statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, by Nils TORVALDS (Renew Europe, FI), Rapporteurs, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Barbara THALER (EPP, AT) and Carmen AVRAM (S&D, RO), Rapporteurs for ENVI, TRAN and AGRI Committees. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Renewable energy directive: Opening statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, by Nils TORVALDS (Renew Europe, FI), Rapporteur, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Barbara THALER (EPP, AT) and Carmen AVRAM, Rapporteur

Parliament adopt new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member States are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones. Extracts from the debate (11/09); extracts from the vote (14/09); and statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

Renewable energy directive: extracts from the debate (11/09); extracts from the vote (14/09); and statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

The Parliament debate on a new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones. Closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur.

Renewable energy directive: closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

The Parliament debate on a new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones.

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