EU energy ministers gather to take final stock – and set post-election agenda

5 months ago 27

EU energy ministers are set to meet for the final time this term on 30 May, to discuss Russian energy and the Green Deal, but many countries are tabling ‘Any Other Business’ points, intending to influence the EU’s post-election agenda.

Some are new to the circle, like the recently promoted Portuguese minister Maria Carvalho – previously a lawmaker in the European Parliament’s energy and industry committee. But most ministers know each other well after two intense years of tackling the bloc’s energy crisis and actioning the EU’s ambitious climate plans.

The agenda continues to be dominated by these two big-ticket items: a stock-taking of REPowerEU – the bloc’s emergency plan to wean itself off Russian gas – and an assessment of the Green Deal.

While Russian coal has been entirely banished and oil relegated to a few select refineries in Eastern Europe, Russian gas remains dominant in Austria and Hungary while the Kremlin’s liquified natural gas continues to arrive in Western European ports.

Berlin and Prague will push for a new high-level group to complete the EU’s exit from Russian energy, Reuters reported.

Conflict ahead

The meeting will see the European Commission updating ministers on the 27 national energy and climate plans. Each EU countries must submit its final plans by 30 June and collectively, the documents will give the clearest indication yet as to whether Europe is on track to meet its 2030 climate and renewable objectives.

The plans are also expected to expose divisions within the Council.

France and Czechia lead a 14-strong alliance of pro-nuclear countries pushing for acknowledgment of low-carbon electricity equally to renewable power – and easier access to finance. They face resistence from a pro-renewables 13-country alliance led by Austria and Germany.

A whopping eight points raised by various countries will be up for discussion, a record for the term. EU diplomats attribute it to national capitals jostling to shape the next Commission’s priorities.

Saying goodbye to the Belgian presidency

The meeting is the last gathering of energy ministers chaired by Belgium, who expect to conclude their biggest priority for their six-month term: following up on the EU electricity grid plan from late 2023.

The presidency has crafted a document which focuses on closing the grid investment gap, strengthening the electricity system’s resilience and increasing the speed and scale of the grid expansion.

Two main barriers must be overcome: “differences in product specifications” across EU countries – equipment must often be tailor-made to suit the specificities of EU countries’ grids – and speedier permitting.

German-Austrian gas fight and Hungarian work programme

In the ongoing scuffle between Berlin and Vienna over a German surcharge on all gas passing through the country, Austria’s minister Leonore Gewessler is expected to once again make her displeasure at a recent 34% increase clear.

This time, she is supported by the Slovaks, Hungarians, and Czechs.

To top it off, the incoming Hungarian EU Council presidency is expected to officially communicate its priorities. With few legislative files left over and the EU Parliament and Commission in transition, Budapest is expected to focus on the bigger picture.

The presidency will continue Belgium’s work on grids while also pushing for a more coherent EU approach to geothermal energy. Hungary has expertise in this climate friend energy source, and is home to the EU’s largest geothermal district heating system.

Bárbara Machado contributed reporting

[Edited by Donagh Cagney/Zoran Radosavljevic]