Hurdle agreeing on joint European
Energy policy – Catalyzer for transition to renewables?
Introduction
Most European countries consent in moving toward renewable energy in order to reduce GHG emissions and are well aware of the need to decrease dependence on fossil fuels. However, an agreement between the European countries on how to achieve all this is weeny and endeavors in negotiating a joint EU solution for energy transition has been set upon a puzzler and inhibiting states such as Germany pursuing their own energy policies. The transnational nature of this energy transition, in defiance of these hurdles, a European energy policy agreement may possibly be the sole way forward.
Most European countries consent in moving toward renewable energy in order to reduce GHG emissions and are well aware of the need to decrease dependence on fossil fuels. However, an agreement between the European countries on how to achieve all this is weeny and endeavors in negotiating a joint EU solution for energy transition has been set upon a puzzler and inhibiting states such as Germany pursuing their own energy policies. The transnational nature of this energy transition, in defiance of these hurdles, a European energy policy agreement may possibly be the sole way forward.
Background
Even though significant contretemps apply in European energy policies and in what way an energy transition is laid down, the consensus is broad in regards of Europe’s need for a long term sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply and the quest for a reconstruction of the energy sector embracing greater use of renewables is likewise mutual among the majority of the European countries. For example, Germany, a pioneer in the sense of speedy energy turnaround, is inevitably dependent on a rapid increment of renewables since the country target abandoning nuclear by 2020. However, the whole German Energiewende and its do-it-alone policy have been increasingly criticized by its neighboring countries as well as on EU level. (Jamasb & Pollitt, 2015) While EU commissioner Günther Oettinger strive after a common European solution nuclear power in France is hailed carbon neutral and contributes to 80 % of its electricity production while in Poland 90 % of the country’s energy stem from coal-fired plants. Different countries claim their rights to choose their own energy mix and perception of problems stemmed from the energy sector is perceived differently while economical prerequisites in order to reconstruct the energy sector vary. (Couture et al, 2015) In order to achieve a joint energy policy in Europe and become a part of the political and legal process, sufficient funds and resources to effectively form such a grand project as a European energy transition is needed and the political will to shape and implement effective political programs is inevitable. The latter face divergences in the political realm since diversity prevail in the focused use of different energy sources in different countries. (Deloitte, 2015)
Even though significant contretemps apply in European energy policies and in what way an energy transition is laid down, the consensus is broad in regards of Europe’s need for a long term sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply and the quest for a reconstruction of the energy sector embracing greater use of renewables is likewise mutual among the majority of the European countries. For example, Germany, a pioneer in the sense of speedy energy turnaround, is inevitably dependent on a rapid increment of renewables since the country target abandoning nuclear by 2020. However, the whole German Energiewende and its do-it-alone policy have been increasingly criticized by its neighboring countries as well as on EU level. (Jamasb & Pollitt, 2015) While EU commissioner Günther Oettinger strive after a common European solution nuclear power in France is hailed carbon neutral and contributes to 80 % of its electricity production while in Poland 90 % of the country’s energy stem from coal-fired plants. Different countries claim their rights to choose their own energy mix and perception of problems stemmed from the energy sector is perceived differently while economical prerequisites in order to reconstruct the energy sector vary. (Couture et al, 2015) In order to achieve a joint energy policy in Europe and become a part of the political and legal process, sufficient funds and resources to effectively form such a grand project as a European energy transition is needed and the political will to shape and implement effective political programs is inevitable. The latter face divergences in the political realm since diversity prevail in the focused use of different energy sources in different countries. (Deloitte, 2015)
It seems that divergences
politically hinder a joint European energy policy in the near future due to
each country’s individual status and potential for conflict within the legal
frame work appear be a factor as well facing challenges implementing an
unilateral solution for individual measures. Hence the possibility of a
unilateral solution looks unrealistic, at least over a perspicuous time period.
It cannot be assumed that member states will yield their choice of energy mix since
the cost of restructuring the energy sector is considerable and many times not
in proportion to financial supposition and the perception of energy problems
varies from country to country. Furthermore the need to find a common European
solution and integration of energy policy might prove be a stumbling boulder
for efforts by individual states and could serve as a holdback for the
development of renewable energy sources as a whole. An example of this would be
in the case of Germany and if the support system of EEG where to be
discontinued of exclusion from European prohibition of state aid since there is
no European equivalent. A joint European energy policy intended to meet the
energy transition is of transnational nature and is therefore difficult to
implement and solve sufficiently at national levels. The perception of problems
is varying as well as the approaches on how to solve the problems parallel to a
diffusion of agendas between the levels of EU political and legal community. As
a result, a sway to renewables might be achieved not despite of but because of
political and legal mutuality at the different levels of EU. And in the end,
this dissemination mechanism of proactive national measures and response at
these levels may pave way to a prosperous transition of energy in Europe.
References
Deloitte, 2015. Energy market reform in Europe. European energy and climate policies: achievements and challenges to 2020 and beyond. Acquired 2015-10-22 from
https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/Energy-and-Resources/gx-er-energy-market-reform-in-europe.pdf
Deloitte, 2015. Energy market reform in Europe. European energy and climate policies: achievements and challenges to 2020 and beyond. Acquired 2015-10-22 from
https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/Energy-and-Resources/gx-er-energy-market-reform-in-europe.pdf
Jamasb, T. & Pollitt, M., 2015. Electricity Market Reform in the European
Union: Review of Progress toward Liberalization & Integration. The
Energy Journal. Acquired 2015-10-21 from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23297005?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23297005?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Couture, T.D. et al., 2015. The next generation of renewable electricity
policy. Acquired 2015-10-21 from
http://www.svd.se/asa-romson-lovar-miljobilspremie-hela-2015
