The Hungarian delegation led by Pál Kovács, Minister of State for Climate Change and Energy, actively participated in the informal consultations of Member State ministers concerning the framework of EU energy policy in the next decade, unconventional fossil fuels and the effects of renewable energy recovery on 23-24 April 2013 in Dublin.
At a joint working lunch, the ministers of environment and energy discussed the Green Paper that defines the framework of climate and energy policy until 2030. Pál Kovács indicated that the Hungarian sectors concerned are applying detailed analyses to assess the results accomplished so far in the implementation of the 2020 objectives and future prospects. The minister of state emphasised that an adequately balanced and flexible framework can be drawn up in consideration of differences between the Member States. Greater emphasis should be placed on competitiveness and the avoidance of energy poverty throughout the entire process. In the course of developing the internal energy market, none of the countries should suffer a disadvantage attributable to varying levels of development. In addition to the appropriate exploitation of available energy resources, it should be possible for Member States to independently determine the ratio of used energy sources in proportion to their needs and demand.
The framework programme is a key element of the European Commission’s work programme for this year. The Commission aims to finalise the framework of objectives and principles applied until 2030 by the beginning of 2014. The sectoral measures relating to the package are scheduled for approval by 2015. The introduction and debate of the Green Paper marks the first step in drawing up the framework programme.
The ministers of energy reviewed the possible effects of the recovery of crude oil and natural gas reserves, which cannot be extracted with conventional technologies, on energy supply and prices. Pál Kovács noted that Hungary — one of the most dependant countries on hydrocarbon imports in the region — supports the analysis of the extraction of alternative energy resources. According to expectations, upon the availability of a large quantity of unconventional natural gas, the uniformisation of the European energy market can progress, energy supply can strengthen and prices may decline. He noted that the competent branch of the Hungarian government is monitoring with interest trends in natural gas reserves in the region, particularly research results in Poland. The linking of markets in Central Europe has been under way in recent years; the connecting pipelines necessary for the transmission of gas are either available or under construction.
The European Commission has been analysing the future of the extraction of unconventional fossil fuels since 2011. The Commission plans to submit its framework regulation proposal this year, which manages risks, deficiencies in regulation, but also establishes a predictable legal environment for economic operators and for EU citizens.
At the informal meeting, the European Economic and Social Committee presented its study concerning the impact of the economic effects of renewable energy technologies on the electricity system. The head of the Hungarian delegation emphasised that renewables undoubtedly contribute to the decline in carbon dioxide emissions and to the moderation of dependence on energy imports. At the same time, the study makes the well-founded argument that the future development of existing grids is justified due to non-dispatchable renewable energy sources. Pál Kovács welcomed the proposal formulated in the basic document, according to which geothermal and nuclear energy should also be taken into account in basic energy supply, in addition to wind and solar energy.
(Ministry of National Development)
