Press Release: Energy security: Commission puts forward comprehensive strategy to strengthen security of supply

On 28 May 2014 the European Commission adopted a European Energy Security Strategy (EESS). The main aim of the strategy was to increase the resilience of the EU energy system to withstand possible supply disruptions and, in the long run, to reduce the EU energy dependence on external suppliers.

The strategy was accompanied by an in-depth study of the security of the EU energy system.

Against the background of the on-going gas dispute between the Ukraine and Russia, the European Council of March 2014 called the European Commission to conduct an in-depth study on European energy security and to present a comprehensive plan on how to reduce EU energy dependence.

The plan would be discussed by the Heads of State or Government at the European Council on 26-27 June 2014.

Greenpeace and the European Environmental Bureau criticised the plan for potentially prolonging Europe’s addiction to energy imports of polluting and expensive fossil fuels.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 28.05.14: EU unveils plan to curb reliance on Russian gas http://euobserver.com/news/124414

ESO: Background information: Paving the way for European energy security http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-paving-the-way-for-european-energy-security/

ESO: Background information: Russia says it will halt gas deliveries if Ukraine doesn’t pay http://www.europeansources.info/record/energy-and-the-ukrainian-crisis-russia-says-it-will-halt-gas-deliveries-if-ukraine-doesnt-pay/

ESO: Background information: [Energy security debate] Poland calls for EU action to end Russia’s energy stranglehold http://www.europeansources.info/record/energy-security-debate-poland-calls-for-eu-action-to-end-russias-energy-stranglehold/

European Commission: DG Energy: Security of energy supply http://ec.europa.eu/energy/security_of_supply_en.htm

EurActiv, 28.05.14: EU signals binding energy savings target in September http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/eu-signals-binding-energy-savings-target-september-302497

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/379: Questions and answers on security of energy supply in the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-379_en.htm

The Guardian, 28.05.14: Shale and non-Russian gas imports at heart of new EU energy strategy http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/may/28/shale-gas-russia-eu-renewables-ukraine-crisis

Greenpeace: EU Unit: Press Release, 28.05.14: Commission energy security plan would prolong addiction to EU energy imports http://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/en/News/2014/Commission-energy-security-plan-would-prolong-addiction-to-EU-energy-imports/

European Environmental Bureau: Press Release, 28.05.14: Energy Security Strategy fails to explore full savings potential http://www.eeb.org/EEB/index.cfm/news-events/news/energy-security-strategy-fails-to-explore-full-savings-potential/

EurActiv, 28.05.14: Commission admission: energy independence has a price http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/commission-admission-energy-independence-has-price-302484

Deutsche Welle, 28.05.14: European Commission proposes plan to cut foreign energy reliance http://dw.de/p/1C8Tl

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