Author: | David Buchan | ISBN: | 1230000317221 |
Publisher: | Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies | Publication: | March 24, 2015 |
Imprint: | Language: | English |
Author: | David Buchan |
ISBN: | 1230000317221 |
Publisher: | Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies |
Publication: | March 24, 2015 |
Imprint: | |
Language: | English |
The Ukraine crisis has reignited debate in Europe surrounding the EU’s lack of
a fully functioning single energy market. It has brought home to all member
states the general need for a more coordinated energy policy, even though they
may differ on aspects of what needs to be done. This research highlights that
integration of the internal energy market should still be the EU’s main instrument
to reach its three goals of cost competitiveness, security and emission reduction.
A roadmap for completing the single energy market is proposed based on a
harmonised EU-wide system of renewable energy subsidies and significant
infrastructure investment in many Central and East European member states.
These smart investments would form part of a coherent, long-term investment
plan for the European energy sector and would enable these member states to
improve their energy security through greater investment in gas storage and
interconnectors.
The goals of energy security, affordability and sustainability have never been
higher on the EU’s agenda. All three goals would be served if Europe truly
unified its energy market. National leaders have it in their han ds to complete
this slow and difficult integration process, if they can just summon up the
necessary political will to do so.
The Ukraine crisis has reignited debate in Europe surrounding the EU’s lack of
a fully functioning single energy market. It has brought home to all member
states the general need for a more coordinated energy policy, even though they
may differ on aspects of what needs to be done. This research highlights that
integration of the internal energy market should still be the EU’s main instrument
to reach its three goals of cost competitiveness, security and emission reduction.
A roadmap for completing the single energy market is proposed based on a
harmonised EU-wide system of renewable energy subsidies and significant
infrastructure investment in many Central and East European member states.
These smart investments would form part of a coherent, long-term investment
plan for the European energy sector and would enable these member states to
improve their energy security through greater investment in gas storage and
interconnectors.
The goals of energy security, affordability and sustainability have never been
higher on the EU’s agenda. All three goals would be served if Europe truly
unified its energy market. National leaders have it in their han ds to complete
this slow and difficult integration process, if they can just summon up the
necessary political will to do so.