Overview of The EU Energy Strategy

The European Union Strategy bases on past experiences and incorporates actions that must be taken to face emerging challenges. It has been developed thanks to extensive consultations with the public and EU institutions. The 2020 strategy sets out steps which need to be taken to achieve EU medium term policy goals. Different scenarios are presented in the long term 2050 strategy, including a long-term decarbonization goal.

The most significant statement of the strategy is the call to restructure energy actions towards demand-driven policy, allowing customers to have more influence and decoupling economic growth from energy demand. Strategy points towards transport and construction industries as possible sectors of shifting towards non-polluting energy sources. An Emission Trading Scheme is mentioned next to the creation of market conditions that stimulate energy savings and efficient use of renewable energy capabilities.

The strategy encourages to prioritize the renewable sources in the field of electricity generation, as nearly two thirds of electricity is to come from low carbon sources by 2020. National differences are to be taken into account on the way to reaching the Member States’ respective targets. As a result, the goal assigned to Poland is significantly lower than for other Member States.

The 2020 Energy Strategy is focused on 5 main priorities and actions assigned to those. First priority is to achieve an energy efficient Europe. It has been pointed out that there is a need to create an energy efficiency strategy, that would take into account disparities among Member States. As improving efficiency is the most cost effective methods of reducing emissions. Adding upon that, it would also reinforce industrial competitiveness. Efficiency is to be improved among the whole energy chain and focused on sectors with largest potential for savings - building stock and transport sector. Reinforced political effort on clarifying the goals and strong monitoring are crucial for successful improvements. Contribution is made to the incentive to make the most of National Energy Efficiency Action Plans.

Second objective signifies the need to create a common pan European integrated energy market, as the fragmentation into national markets with obstacles to open and fair competition is still present. Most markets remain national and the competition is often not being supported because of regulated energy prices. The target of 20% renewable energy till 2020 is the first step on the way to unifying the energy market. The goal should be properly enforced in order to ensure potential investors about safety of investments in the renewables branch. To expand on that there would be provided support mechanism. The Commission would further ensure timely implementation of the internal market legislation.