European Energy Security Strategy
Released in May 2014, the Energy Security Strategy aims to secure the supply of energy within the Union and make the electricity market less reliant on imports, EU-wide, and less reliant on a singular provider State-wise. The strategy can be divided into Short and Long term measures. The Short-term measures explored in the strategy, were largely a response to the Ukrainian crisis, when Russian gas supply could be disrupted for at least six-months. Stress tests carried out in 2014 showed that even in the event of a spontaneous cut in the gas supply, European countries could cope without Russian gas, as long as effective cooperation between them was achieved. In light of this, the Commission advised MS to develop regional plans of cooperation, in the case of such shortages from imported energy. However, though the short-term measures devised by the EU are enough to ensure that energy shortages are not felt by consumers and do not hinder the growth of the economy, long term measures are still required to wean the EU off imported energy sources and ensure stability. As such, the strategy proposes the following measures:
- Achieving the goals outlined in the 2030 Framework for Climate and energy
- Increasing and diversifying energy supply in the EU by:
o further investing in renewable energy sources,
o encouraging sustainable fossil fuel production
o considering the option of safe nuclear energy within the EU
- Moving towards a fully integrated internal energy market, by investing in cross-country infrastructure, able to redistribute energy according to demand
- Ensuring solidarity and security by protecting critical infrastructure and encouraging the sharing of such technologies, where available
- Ensuring the existence of regional preparedness plans, in the case of a sudden fall of external energy supply
- Achieving better communication between MS and the European Commission where Energy deals with non-EU countries are concerned
- Entering effective negotiations both with current energy partners (Russia, Norway, Saudi Arabia) and possibly new energy partners.[1]