Friday

29th Mar 2024

Merkel eyes 'very difficult' talks on energy liberalisation

  • Angela Merkel on energy targets - "We shouldn't leave things vague" (Photo: European Community, 2006)

Germany has admitted that there is likely to be a strong battle over European Commission plans to revamp the EU's energy sector but has pledged to push for concrete results and act as an honest broker during its EU presidency.

Speaking before the European Parliament on Tuesday (13 February), chancellor Angela Merkel gave a boost to Brussels' energy plans which have been coming under attack both for trying to liberalise the sector and for trying to set binding renewable energy targets.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Get the EU news that really matters

Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

"We are going to have some very difficult discussions on the strengthening of the internal market," admitted the chancellor with an EU summit devoted to energy just three weeks away.

But she said she would "work" on the issue saying it is essential that the EU has a "highly performing internal market."

Her words come as France and Britain have started a war of words over the merits of "unbundling" – loosening the ties between production and distribution of energy – something the commission sees as essential for bringing competition into the EU's energy market.

France is essentially plugging for the status quo, whereby large electricity firms such as its own state-owned EDF control both production and distribution - a stance Britain has called market-distorting.

But Berlin will not bring its own wish-list into this already volatile mix, the chancellor indicated.

"Germany is going to have to accept compromises which will not be easy for us."

"It would be an error if we were to continue to pursue our own interests and we're not going to make that mistake," she continued.

Up until recently German ministers and officials had openly voiced opposition to Brussels' plans, particularly late last year before the country took over the EU presidency.

However, Berlin has come in for some heavy flak recently for appearing to use its presidency to defend national interests against a separate commission plan to cap CO2 emissions from cars and for challenging a CO2 emissions reduction for its industry.

Falling in line with the commission, Mrs Merkel said she would also "insist on agreement on specific quantified targets," referring to alternative energy sources.

Brussels has proposed that member states be forced to generate 20 percent of their energy using alternative sources such as wind power by 2020 – a goal that is being opposed by several countries who do not want binding targets.

Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, meanwhile, called on governments to stop making nice statements and commit to firm action. "We do not need declarations of intentions but what we need is commitment."

"We face decisive tests in the near future, starting with the energy and climate change package in the European Council in March."

After EU leaders debate the matter, the commission is to come forward with concrete legislation proposals which will then have to get by member states and the European Parliament.

Some senior EU diplomats are however pessimistic that member states will be able to reach agreement at the March summit, with energy ministers gearing up for a preparatory meeting this week.

Call to ban inefficient lightbulbs in EU

Germany's environment minister Sigmar Gabriel has written to the European Commission proposing that inefficient light bulbs be banned in the EU. His call comes just days after Australia made headlines by saying it would phase out traditional incandescent bulbs by 2010.

Opinion

EU Modernisation Fund: an open door for fossil gas in Romania

Among the largest sources of financing for energy transition of central and eastern European countries, the €60bn Modernisation Fund remains far from the public eye. And perhaps that's one reason it is often used for financing fossil gas projects.

Opinion

EU Modernisation Fund: an open door for fossil gas in Romania

Among the largest sources of financing for energy transition of central and eastern European countries, the €60bn Modernisation Fund remains far from the public eye. And perhaps that's one reason it is often used for financing fossil gas projects.

Latest News

  1. Kenyan traders react angrily to proposed EU clothes ban
  2. Lawyer suing Frontex takes aim at 'antagonistic' judges
  3. Orban's Fidesz faces low-polling jitters ahead of EU election
  4. German bank freezes account of Jewish peace group
  5. EU Modernisation Fund: an open door for fossil gas in Romania
  6. 'Swiftly dial back' interest rates, ECB told
  7. Moscow's terror attack, security and Gaza
  8. Why UK-EU defence and security deal may be difficult

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersJoin the Nordic Food Systems Takeover at COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersHow women and men are affected differently by climate policy
  3. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  5. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  6. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  2. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries
  3. European Citizen's InitiativeThe European Commission launches the ‘ImagineEU’ competition for secondary school students in the EU.
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  5. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  6. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA

Join EUobserver

EU news that matters

Join us