The incoming Luxembourg presidency of the European Council is to prioritise work on energy, it has announced.
A note outlining the work programme of the new presidency, which begins on Wednesday, states that the EU’s work on energy efficiency and renewables has not succeeded in bringing about an energy transition that is both affordable and deploys sufficient new technology. It also says the EU approach has so far failed to generate enough jobs.
The Luxembourg presidency says it will prioritise implementation of the framework to support the EU’s energy union strategy, which was published in February and outlines how member states should move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy.
The notes states that the new presidency, which starts on 1 July, intends to adopt by November a new framework that is to be developed by the European commission and member states.
The presidency also plans to quickly start work on revising the energy-labelling directive, as well as review the regulation on security of gas, and European strategies for liquefied natural gas and its storage, and heating and cooling.
It will also address how the sustainable energy transition will be financed, and implement the European fund for strategic investments (EFSI), a risk-sharing facility that seeks to promote at least €315 billion of new private sector investment in the EU economy.
In addition, the presidency plans to address links between the energy sector and development aid.
