European Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger

The European Parliament yesterday gave its green light to the guidelines for the EU energy infrastructure package, which sets out corridors for Europe-wide energy infrastructure, seeks to speed-up permits and identifies priority projects, including an offshore electricity grid in the North Sea.

“This is really a breakthrough and will give a big push to much needed infrastructure: Rather than waiting up to 12 years or longer for a permit, developers of crucial cross-border infrastructure – such as pipelines or power grids – will have a decision in about four years,” said European Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger. “This will save them time and money – and will help us creating a true European market where energy systems are physically connected with each other. Consumers and companies will profit because competition keeps costs down”.

The next step is for the European Council to formally approve the regulation.

A new EU agreement reached on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure is a long awaited breakthrough for the EU energy sector. The agreement reached between the European Parliament and the EU Council on Tuesday 20 November 2012 includes:
- “Binding deadlines” for building new energy infrastructure set at three years and six months.
- Agreement to identify “priority corridors” for infrastructure, in particular North Seas offshore grid and electricity highways.

The draft law still requires the final approval of the European Parliament and members states, meaning it should come into force around March or April. “This is really a breakthrough and will give a big push to much-needed infrastructure. Rather than waiting up to 12 years or longer for a permit, developers of crucial cross-border infrastructure – such as pipelines or power grids – will have a decision in about 4 years” said EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.

Other quiz winners got a mini-turbine. Overall, nearly 200 people took the quiz during the four-day event.

Five global energy actors have called for the acceleration of the transition to a pan European electricity infrastructure. Decision makers are being asked to recognise that there will be “no transition to a secure, sustainable and competitive European electricity system without Supergrid”.

The Friends of the Supergrid, a group of companies and organisations with a mutual interest in promoting the policy agenda for a European Supergrid, have signed a Joint Declaration with representatives of Medgrid, the Renewable Grid Initiative and the Desertec Industrial Initiative, as well as representatives of the Climate Parliament. The Declaration is a call for action on the European Supergrid.

A new report shows that more coordination in the development of offshore cables and power grid infrastructure could reduce the cost of offshore connections. The study shows that in the UK, better organisation and cooperation amongst wind farms investors and offshore transmission owners would reduce costs by 8-15% (€0.95bn – €4.2bn). This would be hugely beneficial in the development of an offshore grid network, linking all of Europe to offshore wind farms.

The principle is straightforward – increased coordination between wind farm investors and offshore transmission owners would mean that instead of building individual connections to land for each development, it would be possible to link the wind farms, lowering overall construction and operating costs.

An independent survey of businesses, industrial associations, NGO’s and think tanks has found that 81% of respondents believe creating a single European electricity market and the necessary grid infrastructure should be an EU policy priority.

The phase-out of nuclear energy in Germany, and the need to integrate wind and solar power, means the improvement of the grid is more vital than ever.

The survey included questions on giving priority, funds and planning waivers to allow the speedy construction of European grid infrastructure. The majority of responses were positive, with 87% saying the EU should ensure that decisions on permits are taken more quickly, and 70% supporting time limits for resolving planning disputes.

In a joint letter to the EU, 12 European Prime Ministers have called for the establishment of a “genuine, efficient and effective internal market in energy by 2014”. The letter, sent to the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, is entitled ‘A plan for growth in Europe’.

The Prime Ministers see the swift implementation of the Third Energy Package by all member states as the method to bring about a working internal energy market. At the heart of that package is the concept of unbundling – separating the operation of electricity networks from the business of providing generating power.

Last week the UK and France signed an agreement on nuclear power that could – going by the growing body of evidence on the rising cost of nuclear power – prove to be a huge drain on the public purse in the future. But at the same UK-France summit, a separate agreement was clinched to build an electricity interconnector between the two countries that could see Europe stepping closer to a more energy-secure future.

The interconnector cable, known as the FABLink, will connect France, the Channel Island of Alderney and mainland Britain. Edward Davey, UK Energy Secretary, said he recognises the “importance of further developing new electricity interconnectors between our two countries in order to strengthen further the linking of our grids, improve the security of our energy supplies and facilitate the integration of intermittent energy sources.”

‘Free movement of electricity’ enjoyed a high profile at the EWEA OFFSHORE 2011 conference and exhibition in Amsterdam – and got the backing of CEOs, a former Prime Minister and one German electricity giant!

As the over 8,200 participants entered the Amsterdam RAI conference centre it was hard to miss the stairs emblazoned with the message ‘Free movement of electricity – Give your support’. This is exactly what four VIP speakers did – signing a giant free movement of electricity statement at the EWEA stand.

EU Energy Commissioner Oettinger has highlighted the importance of improved infrastructure for the electricity grid in Europe at EWEA OFFSHORE 2011 in Amsterdam. Speaking at the opening session of the three-day event, Commissioner Oettinger said “We need new and smarter infrastructures to accommodate and integrate larger quantities of wind generation”.