The European energy system is resilient and there is currently no risk of disruption in energy supply systems due to coronavirus – this is a conclusion from Tuesday’s meeting of EU energy ministers. The EC is pressing to avoid solutions that pollute the environment as part of new post-crisis investments.
EU energy ministers discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the energy sector. On the one hand, the crisis has led to a reduction in electricity demand and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, on the other hand, it has reduced certificate prices, which some countries consider a problem. The high price of permits is to motivate companies to invest in solutions that reduce emissions.
The European Commission briefed ministers on the state of play of national energy and climate plans (NECPs).
“Our intention was to discuss plans, but unfortunately we have four countries that have not yet sent them to the EC. Given this, I do not think that we will have conclusions on NECP at our next meeting in June” – Tomislav Ćorić, Minister of the Environment and Energy, holding the EU Presidency of Croatia, pointed out during a press video conference.
Pursuant to EU regulations, member states should have sent the Commission plans for energy and climate, which include as long as they want to reduce emissions or how much of their energy they will generate from renewable sources by the end of 2019. The European Commission leaves no illusions that the pandemic and economic turmoil will not force it to leave the path leading to climate neutrality.
The head of the EC Ursula von der Leyen in Tuesday’s video message emphasized that the EU may already manage the crisis related to coronavirus, but it does not control the crisis related to climate change.
For now, however, there are no specific decisions, although work on some solutions is moving forward. At Tuesday’s ministerial meeting, among others, on the conditions for public aid for enterprises from the high-carbon sector that would relate to the Green Deal. Ćorić believes that in June it will be clear the position of the Member States and the European Commission on this matter.
Polish climate minister Michał Kurtyka emphasized that in the era of coronavirus and the resulting economic slowdown, EU countries should be free to choose technologies that would reduce CO2 emissions. Poland also supports the idea of a carbon border tax that would improve the situation of European entrepreneurs towards those who produce outside the EU and do not have to buy CO2 emission permits.