Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material

www.eutests.eu

The following essay has been written by an EU Tests user. Our experts have given some constructive
feedback which may be useful for anyone preparing for the written exam of the EU competition.

*******

ENERGY DEPENDENCE AND THE EU’s APPROACH Comment [A1]: Overall a well written
essay, nevertheless more attention
should be given to the spelling, and some
paragraphs could be shortened to focus
more on the essential points
In 2005, European Commission presented the Green Paper “Energy Efficiency”. The central element
was the predicted increase of the EU dependence on imported resources to 70% by 2030 from the
current 50% level. Considering the general background of economic blooming need to meet the Comment [A2]: Too specific data for an
intro, otherwise it would be fine in the
Lisbon target, energy security becomes a prerequisite. The depletion of the traditional energy next paragraph. Also, intro is a bit too
resources and insufficient development of renewable energy, are the main reasons for the long
European Commission to propose a package of measures to establish a new Energy Policy for Comment [A3]: Remove
Europe at the beginning of 2007.

Moreover, the European Union ratified the Kyoto Protocol when the signatories undertaken to Comment [A4]: Pursuant to which / In
which
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the overheating of the planet by the end of this
Comment [A5]: Undertook
century. Europe committed to decrease with 8% the current quota during 2008-2012.

Some time ago I wondered about EU’s possibility to respect the Kyoto requirements when Europe Comment [A6]: First person may be
possible yet here consider using a general
needs growth and more energy. However, I obtained the clarification just reading about the statement
initiatives of the European Commission with regard to energy. Comment [A7]: Also

1. Current proposal for a “New Energy Policy for Europe”. When presenting the proposal for a Comment [A8]: Make sure to read twice
the essay to avoid spelling or grammatical
integrated energy and climate change package, the Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stressed that a errors
new industrial revolution was needed in respect of the development of a low carbon economy. The Comment [A9]: Remove
package proposed by the Commission came up with solutions to answer the challenges, based on
three central pillars. Comment [A10]: Below you list 4 or
consider renaming the 4th as an
independent title
1.1 A true internal market is a key measure to provide the competitiveness, sustainability and
energy security for Europe. Assuring a clearer separation of energy production from energy
distribution according to the competition rules, while extending with a minimum of 10% the
interconnection level for the gas and electricity network are needed steps at this stage. A Council
decision was adopted in 2006 to stimulate the development of important networks, as the Nabucco
pipeline which will bring gas from Caspian Region to central Europe.

1.2 Accelerating the shift to the low carbon energy is the Europe’s ambition to maintain the leader Comment [A11]: Remove
position in the world, proposing a binding target of 20% renewable resources of its overall energy
mix by 2020. Even though the EU’s leaders mentioned an intermediary target of 10% by 2010, this
seemed a too high standard. One of the bottlenecks for the renewable energy resources is the
competitiveness that they have to face on a market dominated by the traditional resources and a
 Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material
www.eutests.eu

massive growth will be required in three renewable energy sectors: electricity, biofuels and heating
and cooling. Additionally, a minimum 10 % binding target should be achieved by all Member States
for the share of biofuels in the overall petrol and diesel consumption for EU transport by 2020. A
legislative framework to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans will be proposed by the
Commission by the end of this year.

As research is essential to lower the cost of clean energy, Europe has decided to increase at least
half of its financial appropriations for innovation on energy research during the next seven years. A
potential investing resource is the money saved due to a more judicious behavior to decrese the Comment [A12]: Spelling
wasting identified in the transport, building, or even in the energy production industry.

1.3 Energy efficiency, if successful, could decrease with 20% the current consumption energy by
2020, saving around 100 billion Euros and an impressive volume of CO2 each year. This may result
from the application of existing legislation and an effective implementation of the multi-annual
energy programs. For instance, there were identified in the transport field measures like tax
schemes favoring clean vehicles, rewarding the manufacturers supporting energy efficiency, and
imposing fees to consumers for issues like tyre pressure, use of the public transport and car pools.
In the building sector, replacing light bulbs, boilers and refrigerators with better performing
appliances, or saving the wasted energy canceling the stand-by function of electrical devices are
encouraged for both the industry and consumers. For the former ones, the efficient technology will
help to produce more with less and the public authorities have to enhance the process in case the
market mechanisms are not sufficient.

Another saving possibility resides in new laws and new behavior of all the sectors concerned. (A
minimum level of energy performance standard combined with labeling schemes would be needed
for equipments, building and energy processing and distribution networks) Comment [A13]: A good listing of the
three major action areas with good
examples
1.4 An Action Plan was approved in 2006 for the coming period, to address both the loses and the
vulnerable price trends, the Council calling the member states for predictable price signals and
actions and for energy efficiency awareness raising campaign through education.

2 Future agenda at EU level

2.1 2007-2009 Action Plan. Comment [A14]: Consider adding a short

introduction about the coming points
More action is needed at EU level to deal with supply disruptions of the imported gas and oil and to
boost the advanced technologies to produce sustainable energy and to collect carbon emissions
from the power station using fossil raw materials. To redirect towards sustainability,
competitiveness and security of supply, the spring European Council highlighted new priorities for
2007-2009: realization of an inter-connected opened market for gas and electricity, development of Comment [A15]: Open
domestic energy sources, including renewable energy, extension of its internal market principle to
 Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material
www.eutests.eu

neighboring countries. Development of cooperation to meet emergences and to create an early

warning tool as well as a network of security correspondents are major target points. Additionally,
an European Strategic Energy Technology Action Plan will be elaborated to extend to concept and
use of renewable resources.

2.3 Kyoto and external relations opportunities. The Kyoto commitments are a strong motivation for
EU to be a leader in the world to support the achievement of the greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets and the Commission’s intention to put forward in 2007 a proposal for a new international
agreement on energy efficiency is highly appreciated. An integrated climate and energy policy, in a
mutually supportive way could provide new sources of energy in a sustainable environment. Money
saved due to energy efficiency and carbon pricing is an important resource that can be invested in
research to burst the production and use of sustainable alternatives.

Moreover, as Russia is the principal supplier of gas and oil, EU has initiated negotiations to conclude Comment [A16]: Since you used a title in
the previous points, consider adding one
a post Cooperation and Partnership Agreement while having a more precautionary attitude. The here as well
potential contractual cooperation will have to be based on the safe competitive rules allowing third
parties the access to the resources supplying main pipeline from Russia to the European Union. An
attitude that differentiates the supplying services from the infrastructure itself, as the EU’s rules on
competition requests, should prevent the monopoly the Russion Federation is maintaining in Comment [A17]: Spelling
energy supplying services. Not only prices, industry and population’s budgets are vulnerable, but
also the supplying itself is affected by unpredictable external events of EU’s influence powers.
Given the last years difficult situations when EU has had to face supply disruptions of gas and oil
provided by the Russian Druzhba Pipeline, solutions are looked for to avoid in the future the energy
security turbulences through action on the international stage. Apart other traditional energy
resources existing in neighbor and Asian countries and that need to be considered, EU’s agenda has
to include the practically exploitation at the international level of the high efficiency white energy
generated by the windmills, solar panels, water electricity plants or wave power.

As a result, the Commission Paper ”Facing External Energy Risks” underlined that besides
intensifying the relationship with the new external partners for gas and oil supply, EU has taken the
lead to promote the renewable energy technologies and to enhance the respect of Kyoto
engagements by the international signatories for a sustainable energy and environment.
Instruments like improving EU-Central Asia initiatives, the Neighborhood Policy, the Partnerships
with the Mediterranean countries, cooperation relations with Caspian and the Black Sea regions,
dialog with OPEC countries and building a special dialogue with African countries have to be
rationally used for the future energy security. Comment [A18]: Well written section,
nevertheless consider cutting it a bit
shorter

In conclusion, EU fore has started to tackle inter-linked energy dependence, economic increase and
clean environment issue to the core, actively dealing with internal and external factors that affect a
safe and sustainable supply that affect the EU’s growth and welfare of its population. Energy and
 Interactive EU Tests & Preparatory Material
www.eutests.eu

environment are global twin challenges for development, and EU undertook the leading role
enhancing research initiatives and militating for genuine solutions to be fostered by the
international key players. Comment [A19]: Well written conclusion,
just as long as it should be