EU commission appointed to look into options for reducing the EU's dependence on imported energy, particularly from Russia.
EU leaders, at the spring summit in Brussels, have discussed ways to reduce their dependency on Russian natural gas and oil amid the crisis in Ukraine.
Herman Van Rompuy, Head of the European Council, speaking after the session underlined the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline project, which will carry Caucasian natural gas to Europe via Turkey.
Van Rompuy said that the EU is keen to increase its energy savings to reduce the overall energy demand adding that the EU is also determined to further make use of renewable energy and local energy sources.
“We are very serious about reducing our energy dependence,” Van Rompuy stated.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after the summit that if the U.S. decides to export its shale gas then this would be an option for European countries seeking to diversify their energy sources.
Europe currently imports 60 percent of its energy and at its current rate would be importing up to 80 percent by 2035, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
EU leaders have appointed an EU Commission to come up with options regarding the reduction of energy dependency over the next three months.
Countries such as Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden import all of their natural gas from Russia, while the dependence rates of Poland and Greece are at around 70 percent.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/304216--eu-leaders-discuss-energy-dependency
21/3/14
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EU moves to reduce energy dependency on Russia - Van Rompuy...
ReplyDeleteEuropean Union leaders agreed Friday to step up moves to cut energy dependency, notably on Russia, after events in Ukraine.
EU Council president Herman Van Rompuy said the bloc's 28 leaders had agreed at a two-day summit to outline an energy security framework at their next top-level meeting in June.
"Reducing our energy dependency, especially in relation to Russia, was a key topic" at the summit talks, Van Rompuy said at a news conference.
"If we dont take action now, by 2035 we will be dependent for 80 percent of oil and gas," he said.
Among measures to be taken will be the diversification of energy sources by promoting indigenous sources including renewables and nuclear energy and improving interconnections both across the bloc and with third countries.
Voice of Russia, AFP
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_21/EU-moves-to-reduce-energy-dependency-on-Russia-Van-Rompuy-2608/
21/3/14