According to the governance of the energy union and climate action rules, which entered into force on 24 December 2018, EU countries are required to: develop integrated national energy and climate plans (NECPs) that cover the five dimensions of the energy union for the period 2021 to 2030 (and every subsequent ten year period) based on a common template submit a draft NECP by 31 December 2018 and be ready to submit the final plans by 31 December 2019 to the European Commission report on the progress they make in implementing their NECPs, mostly on a biennial basis The Commission will monitor the progress of the EU as a whole, notably as part of the annual state of the energy union report. The new rules underline the importance of effective public participation and regional cooperation in the development and implementation of these plans, ensuring that the views of citizens and businesses as well as regional and local authorities are heard. Now that they have been submitted, the draft NECPs are being assessed by the Commission. If an individual country’s draft NECP and its objectives, policies and measures do not sufficiently or not consistently contribute to reaching the energy union’s objectives, or if the EU collectively does not make sufficient progress towards these objectives, the Commission may issue recommendations to countries by 30 June 2019 to amend the draft NECP. Member States then have until the end of 2019 to submit their final NECP.
European Commission 25th Feb 2019 read more »
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has today launched an inquiry to examine the outlook for future investment in energy infrastructure in the UK. The Committee will be looking at whether the Government needs a new approach to bring forward investment to deliver a low carbon, low cost energy system and secure energy supplies for the long term.
Parliament 28th Feb 2019 read more »
In response to BEIS figures showing record renewable energy supply in the UK, and the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee launching an inquiry to examine the outlook for future investment in energy infrastructure in the UK, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK, John Sauven, said – “Renewable technologies are working so effectively that even this government’s hostility to solar and onshore wind is barely denting the sector’s overall growth. But the collapse of the government’s plans for new nuclear reactors means we’re going to need a lot more to fill our looming energy gap. With prices falling fast, a new smart energy system should not be held back to appease a few vested interests. The inquiry announced today by the BEIS committee should be an opportunity for MPs to start looking at the actual data on energy costs, and stop allowing outdated anti-renewable sentiment to dictate policy.”
Greenpeace 28th Feb 2019 read more »