In Spring 2007, European leaders reached a historic agreement for the first time to create a common European energy policy. The resulting Energy Policy for Europe sets out the EU's vision for Energy in the period to 2020 and is based on three fundamental 'pillars':
- Sustainability - to ensure that the EU addresses climate change by reducing its emissions to a level that would limit global temperature increases to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The EU will do this by committing to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; a 20% improvement in energy efficiency; and deployment of 20% of energy generation from renewable sources, all by 2020. These are known as the 20:20:20 targets
- Security of Supply - to minimise the EU's vulnerability concerning imports, shortfalls in supply, possible energy crises and uncertainty on future supply. The EU will do this by introducing measures which ensure solidarity between member states, the diversification of supply sources and transportation routes, and improved security of oil stocks, gas supply and electricity generation.
- Competitiveness - to ensure the effective implementation of the internal energy market. The EU will do this by introducing reforms to ensure clearer separation of gas and electricity transmission from production and supply, thereby creating a more competitive market and by harmonising the competencies of national energy market regulators and ensuring their collaboration.
The EU has driven forward each of these 3 pillars by proposing separate packages of legislative and regulatory reform on:
Competitiveness - the third package on the Internal Market, introduced in September 2007 and agreed in autumn 2008
Sustainability - the Climate & Energy package, introduced in January 2008 and agreed in December 2008>
Security of Supply - the 2nd Strategic Energy Review package, introduced in November 2008 and agreed in Spring 2009
The Scottish Government is taking a number of initiatives to position Scotland as a leader in the field of green energy in Europe. The First Minister outlined the steps under way in a speech to the European Energy Conference held in Aberdeen on February 22, 2008. Information on Scottish Government action on European Energy policy and Climate Change policy can be found here.
More information on the various initiatives:
Events in 2009
- 16 January 2009 - University of Dundee - EU Energy Policy and Scotland debate
- 9 - 13 February Sustainable Energy Week - 9 February - Delivering the Strategic Energy Review and the 2020 package objectives - the role of the North Sea and Atlantic regions
- 27 March 2009 - Meeting of the European Energy Network
- 20 May 2009 - All Energy Conference in Aberdeen - the Scottish European Green Energy Centre hosted a seminar on Scotland's Offshore Wind Story
- 23-26 June 2009 - Green Week - the Scottish Government participated and held an event at the Green Week Conference in Brussels on 24 June focussing on the role of states and regions in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- 17 August 2009 - Official opening of the Scottish European Green Energy Centre by the First Minister of Scotland in Aberdeen
11 September 2009 - Meeting of the EU Energy Network
11 September 2009 - Seminar by Professor Dr Kurt Deketelaere
- 14-16 September 2009 - The European Offshore Wind Conference and Exhibition, Stockholm at which the Scottish European Green Energy Centre will present Scotland's offshore wind story'
- 15 September 2009 - MEP reception at the European Parliament in Strasbourg hosted by Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Briefing note can be found here.
21/22 September - Colin Imrie, Head of the Scottish Government's Energy Markets Division delivered a seminar discussing how Scotland can influence developments in the European Union and deliver benefit to Scotland. He focussed on the way in which Scotland has been able to position itself as a European leader on sustainable energy, a priority in the Action Plan for European Engagement, as well as drawing on his previous experience in structural funds, environment and justice and home affairs. The principal aim of these seminars was to explore Scotland's role in Europe and the implications for Scotland of the EUs work, something which has taken on particular significance with the Governments objective of raising Scotland's voice in Europe
- 5-6 October 2009 - Invited to give a presentation at the European SME Charter Conference on the Energy Saving Scotland small business loans scheme, having been selected as an example of best practice in the area of 'Eco-innovation and Energy Efficiency in SME's'
22 October - Tripartite meeting between Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Minister Ryan (Ireland's Energy Minister) and Minister Arlene Foster (the Republic of Northern Ireland's Energy Minister) to discuss energy joint working.
- 26 October - Grid Access Consultation event. As part of the UK Government's consultation on reform options for improving grid access, the Department of Energy and Climate Change will be holding a workshop jointly with the Scottish Government at the Scottish Government's offices in Glasgow, to answer questions about the proposals and seek stakeholders' views.
- 24 November - Connecting Europe Conference, Edinburgh
- December 2009 - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - : ensuring that Scotland's voice and energy story is fed in to the UK's position
- Events in 2008