In a public session, the Council agreed its position on the regulation on ACER, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. Since its creation in 2011, ACER has improved coordination between energy regulators on cross-border issues. The Union electricity grid is closely interconnected and there is an increasing need for neighbouring countries to cooperate in order to maintain grid stability and integrate large volumes of renewable energies. New regulatory tasks and competences shall only be granted to the agency on condition that adequate involvement of member states is guaranteed.

The Council of the EU, part “Energy” agreed on a text for a general approach on the proposal for a revision of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of an EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. The proposal to revise the ACER regulation is the last legal act of the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package on which the Council has finally reached a general approach. The Bulgarian Presidency is working intensively to find compromise solutions to the various positions raised by delegations with a view to achieving an appropriate balance in the text. Reaching a general approach provides an opportunity to outline the Council’s preliminary position as a basis for the preparation of the negotiations with the European Parliament.

Temenuzhka Petkova, Minister of Energy of Bulgaria

Clean energy for Europeans: Key for driving forward the Energy Union

Governance of the Energy Union, renewable energy directive and energy efficiency directive

In a public session, the Council took note of the information from the presidency on the state of play on the three files of the clean energy package on governance, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Since February a total of eleven trilogues were held. Negotiations with the European Parliament are now at an advanced stage. The main outstanding issues that still require agreement are the level of targets, contributions and trajectories.

External energy relations

Ministers had the opportunity to be hear a presentation by the Commission on external energy relations, which covered Egypt, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, Iran, the Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation.

Incoming Austrian presidency

The Austrian delegation outlined its work programme and priorities for the next six months in the field of energy policy.