Reactions to EU Commission's strategy paper on the Energy Union

See the full EU Commission paper here.

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

"I welcome that the Commission has stressed the central role of a single energy market," says State Secretary Rainer Baake in a statement.

"But it is equally important to provide a credible and reliable framework for the goals to be achieved by 2030 regarding the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the roll-out of renewable energies and increasing energy efficiency, which were agreed in October 2014. The energy transition's players in Europe need predictability for investments which will greatly contribute to growth and employment in Europe. Now the Commission has to show how the goals can be reliably achieved. For this, we need a specific proposal from the Commission."

Read the full statement in German here.

German Association of Local Utilities (VKU)

“The German Association of Local Utilities welcomes the pragmatic approach of the EU Commission regarding the question of ensuring necessary capacities – especially against the backdrop of several member states already having introduced capacity markets for various reasons or planning to do so,” the VKU says in a statement.

“But the paper also contains numerous weaknesses. 'The energy union is nothing but old wine in new bottles. It would be more important to make headway with concrete legal proposals already on the table – for example regarding the urgently needed introduction of a market stability reserve to revive European emissions trading’”, says association head Hans-Joachim Reck.

“Also, it remains unclear how the 27 percent share of renewable energies in total power production is to be achieved by 2030 in concrete terms.”

See the VKU's full statement in German here.

German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE)

"We welcome the EU Commission’s intent to make the European Union the global number one in renewables," says Hermann Falk, director-general of the BEE, in a statement. “To become number one, renewables need clear and stable direction from the political side. The commission only draws half-hearted conclusions in its release today.”

“The Energy Union should pave the way from the old, centralised energy system based on fossil fuels to an increasingly decentralised and flexible energy supply, which puts clean energy sources at the centre,” the BEE said in its statement. “Therefore the Commission has also suggested a coordinated development of infrastructure and the creation of a European regulatory body. But at the same time, its state aid guidelines create a framework that undermines decentralisation.”

“We criticise explicitly that it calls state aid guidelines approved last year the yardstick for future support for renewables. This cements the highly problematic way to tenders against the national interests of the member states,” Falk says.

German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW)

“If the European Commission sets the priorities right, the project of the Energy Union can bring urgently needed impetus to European energy policy,” says BDEW chair Hildegard Müller.  “National autarky is inefficient. Climate protection, competition and supply security can generally be better realised on a European level.”

“A common approach to sufficient supply security in the electricity market is absolutely necessary. It has been clear for some time that a reform of power market design is not a national, but a European challenge.”

But the BDEW criticises the idea of a new bureaucracy to centrally organise the purchase of natural gas or other energy forms as unnecessary. “The supply of natural gas will be guaranteed best by an open, liquid, transparent and well-connected European gas market."

Read the BDEW's full statement in German here.

Federation of German Industries (BDI)

„The package on the Energy Union provides fresh momentum for Europe’s energy policy,” says Markus Kerber, director general of the Federation of German industries BDI. “This is overdue. Energiewende and supply security can only be achieved on a European level.”

“It is now crucial that action follows the words of the commission quickly.”

“This is about maintaining the competitiveness of Europe’s industry.”

Read the BDI's full statement in German here.

 German Chemicals Industry Association (VCI)

"The EU realises that many energy supply problems can be solved only in a Europe-wide approach. These problems concern us in Germany too,” says VCI director-general Utz Tillmann in a statement. “Therefore, the Energy Union is a great chance also for the German energy transition. For years we have been working nationally on issues like reliable energy supplies and affordable energy, without really making good progress. Such issues can be addressed more effectively at the EU level, within a genuine single energy market.”

“However, climate policy should be implemented not only inside Europe but globally. This additional perspective is lacking.”

See the VCI’s full statement in English here.