Miguel Arias Cañete – European Commissioner-designate for Climate Action and Energy (nominated by Spain) – had to answer a number of difficult questions during his hearing by the European Parliament’s Committees on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE) and Environment, Public Health & Food Safety (ENVI) on 1 October. viEUws.eu produced a comprehensive video summary of the hearing, Cañete’s answers to these 5 toughest questions reveal best … [Read more...]
Carefully prepared Cañete dogged by conflict of interest
The candidate for EU Climate and Energy Commissioner, Miguel Arias Cañete from Spain, demonstrated an impressive grasp of his subject matter at his hearing at the European Parliament on Wednesday night in Brussels. But he failed to answer repeated questions about his brother-in-law’s involvement in two oil-related companies. Today, his future hangs in the balance as he becomes a hostage in a fight between the Parliament’s different political … [Read more...]
Winter gas supply crunch in Europe unlikely, experts say
Major investment in European gas storage, transmission and emergency planning make a repeat of the 2009 gas shock unlikely this winter, market observers say, even if Russia trims exports to retaliate against western sanctions. That should be comforting news to EU Energy Commissioner GĂĽnther Oettinger, who is meeting with energy ministers from Ukraine and Russia (Yuriy Prodan and Alexander Novak) on Friday in Berlin. But analysts do caution that … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Jerzy Buzek, “Europe can enhance security of supply by opening gas market to US”
Jerzy Buzek - Chair of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) - discusses the energy priorities for the new parliamentary term with Hughes Belin for viEUws.eu. … [Read more...]
In defence of TTIP: Good for the economy – and for the climate
The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) currently being negotiated between the European Union and the United States may deliver significant benefits not just in terms of greater economic competitiveness, but also as regards energy security and even environmental sustainability, writes Carlo Stagnaro, senior fellow at the Italian think tank Istituto Bruno Leoni and advisor to Italy’s Minister for Economic Development. According … [Read more...]
NGO’s call for reform of Energy Community, Energy Community calls for reform by its members
A group of leading NGOs active in the Balkan region are calling for urgent reform of the Energy Community Treaty, as its Ministerial Council prepares to meet in Kiev on September 23rd . The groups are calling for both the expansion of the environmental and climate component of the Treaty and measures to ensure that existing obligations are better enforced. “Energy Community Treaty reform is a once in a decade opportunity to garner support for … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “Three commissioners will replace GĂĽnther Oettinger”
For ViEUws.eu's Hughes Belin discusses the implications of the new Juncker Commission. He concludes that three commissioners will replace Energy Commmissioner GĂĽnther Oettinger and expects that climate and energy deals "will be done behind the closed doors of a single cabinet". No wonder, says Belin, NGO's and MEPs have voiced concerns. … [Read more...]
A modest proposal on South Stream – for the EU’s new VP Energy Union
Ambassador Peter Poptchev offers an ingenious compromise on the stalled South Stream project: let Russia build half of it, to be filled with only new gas. The European Commission's new Vice-President for Energy Union could make this work - if she has a convincing strategy for South East Europe. (Plus: an overview of all stakeholder positions on South Stream.) … [Read more...]
Finns want Russian-built nuclear plant 60% Finnish owned, reject fourth Olkiluoto reactor
Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori said today he supports the construction of the new Fennovoima nuclear power plant by Russian Rosatom, provided at least 60% will be Finnish owned. At the same time, the Minister does not support a new deadline for a 4th nuclear reactor at Olkiluoto. The 3rd reactor, now being built by French Areva, has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. … [Read more...]
Team Juncker: EU unveils new Energy Commissioner(s)
Slovenia’s ex-Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek and Spanish ex-minister Miguel Arias Cañete have been nominated to lead EU energy policy in a new European Commission due to take office on 1 November. Incoming Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced Bratušek as Vice President for Energy Union and Cañete as Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy – yes the two portfolios are being merged – on 10 September in Brussels. Cañete is expected … [Read more...]
Why not follow the Swiss Energiewende?
While Germany rushes ahead with its nuclear phase-out and France dithers, Switzerland is following a third way away from nuclear and towards renewables. The Swiss version of the Atomausstieg/Energiewende is slow but steady, with concern for economic as well as environmental consequences. Bern’s policy offers important lessons to Paris, Berlin and others – all the more so because Switzerland is one of the most nuclear-dependent countries in the … [Read more...]
UK capacity market “will boost baseload not balancing power”
The upcoming UK capacity market is supposed to support the integration of renewables into the grid. But will it do that or will it primarily serve to bring new baseload capacity online? UK Power Reserve, an independent developer and operator of small, flexible generators, wonders whether the UK’s plans will squeeze existing providers of flexible capacity or stimulate investment. CEO Tim Emrich tells Energy Post how he has been making money by … [Read more...]
The EU’s drive for free energy trade in the TTIP endangers action on climate change
With the EU seeking to  diversify its energy sources and US companies eager to export their "unconventional” oil and gas riches, energy has become a major focus of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), about which the two blocs are negotiating. The EU is eager for the US to remove any barriers to the export of its natural gas and crude oil, as is clear from a leaked EU proposal. However, this drive for unrestrained fossil … [Read more...]
Poles want to be energy independent – with nuclear (and renewables)
Two-thirds of Polish people support the plans to construct a new nuclear power plant in Poland, above all because this would increase Polish energy independence. The Polish public wants their country to be less reliant on Russia and other suppliers and believes renewable energy and nuclear energy are the best options for this. They appear to have less enthusiasm for shale gas and coal. These results appear from a poll conducted by PISM, the … [Read more...]
IEA: Utilities should change business model – not count on capacity mechanisms
Utilities in Europe and North America “have to change their business model, whether they like it or not”, says the International Energy Agency (IEA). At the same time, the IEA is very critical about the plans of several European countries to set up capacity schemes which the large European enegy companies are pleading for. “We should try energy-only solutions first before we try capacity schemes”, says Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director of … [Read more...]
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