European Union
High-Level Meetings
Ministerial Meetings
Informal Meeting of EU’s Energy Ministers, 22 January 2022
The Informal EU Energy Ministers Council was held on 22nd January 2022 in Amiens. Discussions focused on the current energy price situation and the role of energy efficiency in achieving European goals. The Council was chaired by the French Minister of Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili. The European Commission was represented by the Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, and the Director-General of DG ENER, Ditte Jørgensen. The national delegation was led by the Secretary of State for Energy, Joao Galamba.
Energy prices for European consumers
The French Presidency presented the underlying causes of the current excessive energy prices, referring to the national measures undertaken by MS (based on the Commission's toolbox) to mitigate the effects on consumers. She mentioned that the debate aims to initiate the joint work preparing for the green revolution and to raise awareness about the market volatility. The Commissioner expressed concern about the impact of high prices and volatility on European citizens and the economy. She outlined the main causes of the situation, also pointing to the use of the measures in the toolbox. She recalled the intention to explore supply chains expansion, LNG supply, recalling the upcoming EU-US Energy Council and the visit to Qatar.
It was emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence in the green transition and its benefits, committing to remove social and administrative barriers to renewable energy. The meeting was attended by ACER (Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators), which explained the evolution of energy prices, highlighting the need to strike a balance between consumer protection, energy poverty and social impact, and price signals and incentives for investment in renewables and energy efficiency, in order to stay on track in the green transition.
The Presidency summarized the debate, identifying convergence among MS on the need for better information to consumers on the benefits of transition, on deepening solidarity for security of supply, gas storage, interconnections and joint purchasing, and on investment planning and price signals for renewables. Presidency aims to discuss this issue at the meeting of Directors General for Energy and at the TTE-Energy Council in June.
The role of energy efficiency in achieving European targets
The Commissioner underlined the key role of energy efficiency throughout the Fit for 55 Package, ensuring a fair transition for all and tackle energy poverty. COM emphasized the need to apply the principle of "energy efficiency first" across all sectors and recalled the Commission's 2021 Recommendations and the inclusion of an article for this principle in the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive. The role of energy savings in decarbonisation was highlighted, with flexibility given to MS and incentives in the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, especially for building renovations.
In its conclusions, the Presidency highlighted the concerns of MS on some targets and asked for flexibility and consideration of national specificities. It noted reservations by certain delegations around energy savings. Presidency stressed support for the principle of "energy efficiency first" in combination with cost-effectiveness in decisions, as well as the need to create incentives for the private sector and attract workers to the construction sector linked to the transition.
TTE (Energy) Council of 2 December 2021
The TTE (Energy) Council meeting was held on 2nd December 2021, in Brussels. Portugal was represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Action. At the meeting, Ministers exchanged views on rising energy prices and assessed progress on the legislative proposals of the "Fit for 55" package.
The "Fit for 55" proposals are one of the main priorities of the Slovenian Presidency intending to make progress and ensuring the coherence of this package. Rising energy prices demonstrated the importance of a climate-neutral and energy self-sufficient Europe. The priority is to move forward with the transition to green energy, more renewables and fully interconnected energy systems, as mentioned by Slovenia's Minister of Infrastructure.
Concerning energy prices, the discussions focused on measures to maintain energy prices under control and to protect consumers. Regarding the "Fit for 55" package, Ministers focused on issues, such as renewables and energy efficiency directives.
Although, several topics were addressed, including developments in external energy relations; coexistence between renewable energy and biodiversity; ensuring nuclear safety at the Belarusian nuclear power plant in accordance with EU safety levels; the state of the Energy Union report; the work programme of the incoming Presidency of the Council of the EU (FR); the impact of the current 70% rule for offshore hybrid projects and the revision of the TEN-E Regulation.
Source: Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council on Energy - (europa.eu).
Informal Meeting of EU Energy Ministers of 22 September 2021
The Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers of the European Union (EU) was held on 22nd September 2021 in Ljubljana, under the Slovenian Presidency, chaired by the Slovenian Minister of Infrastructure. The meeting was organised in two sessions, attended by Member States (MS), and Switzerland and Norway. It was attended by the European Commissioner for Energy; Portugal was represented by the Director General of Energy and Geology. The session was dedicated on discussing two of the legislative proposals of the "Fit for 55" Package, key to achieving the EU's climate neutrality targets by 2050: the renewable energy and energy efficiency directives.
The Presidency concluded by a broad consensus among MS, opening the door to the adoption of a general approach on these proposals. It stressed the importance of all sectors working in a coherent manner, as this was the only way to achieve the goals efficiently and fairly.
The Joint Meeting of the EU Energy and Transport Ministers was dedicated to alternative fuels infrastructure and the internal energy market. The Energy Commissioner, the Commissioner for Transport and the Secretary of State for Infrastructure and the Director-General of Energy and Geology of Portugal attended the meeting.
The Presidency considered the debate important, demonstrating the relevance of the transport and energy sectors being linked in an interconnected approach. Road network, traffic congestion, electricity markets and grids were highlighted, as key factors in creating a publicly accessible charging network, as well as the coordinated use of public funds. Price transparency, digitalization, the use of hydrogen in transport and simplified payment methods were identified, as key factors for the competitiveness of the transport sector. The session also demonstrated that there is a willingness to work on developing infrastructure for charging and refuelling.
Informal Video Conference of EU Energy Ministers, 22nd April 2021
This Video Conference was attended by the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action and the Secretary of State for Energy of Portugal.
The Portuguese Presidency proposed two Tour de Table, the first one, on the Strategy "A Renovation Wave for Europe - Greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives" and the second on the Strategy for Energy Systems Integration.
Several Member States highlighted the need for a high rate of renovation in existing buildings in the European Union, in order to meet the ambitious European energy and climate goals and targets by 2030, and aiming the provision of financing mechanisms, using the Recovery and Resilience Plan, was considered suitable. Most Member States considered the need to reorganise the electricity system focusing on moving towards decentralised production, self-consumption, energy communities and innovative energy technologies, not neglecting the promotion of active involvement by energy consumers.
Informal Video Conference of EU Energy Ministers, 14th December 2020
The Informal Video Conference of the European Union (EU) Energy Ministers was held on December 14th to debate the Integration of the Energy System in the EU. Portugal was represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Action.
Ministers exchanged views on member state priorities for the future review of EU legislation to facilitate energy system integration, to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The agenda included external relations in the area of energy and the work program of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU for the first half of 2021.
Portugal supported the Integration of Energy Systems for the transition and decarbonization of the sector and the increase of the climate ambition for 2030, emphasized the relevance of energy efficiency, the focus on the use of renewable energy, the role of renewable gases such as, green hydrogen and of energy infrastructures, as well as investments in clean technologies according to the green recovery principles.
Informal Video Conference of EU Energy Ministers, 6 October 2020
This Video Conference was attended by the Secretary of State for Energy of Portugal.
The meeting aimed to analyse the European Hydrogen Strategy and the Climate Goals to be achieved for 2030, regarding energy objectives. The European Commission informed the Ministers about the assessment of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NEEAP) and the 2030 Climate Target Plan. According with the Portuguese Delegate, this evaluation is essential to improve the implementation of the National Energy and Climate Plan and has a fundamental importance to boost the transition to clean energy and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
At the end of the Meeting, a Press Conference took place by the German Minister and the European Commissioner for Energy.
Informal Video Conference of EU Energy Ministers, 15 June 2020
This Videoconference was attended by the Portuguese Minister of Environment and Climate Action.
The Energy Ministers debated the topic of Economic Recovery and the European Climate Pact after the Covid-19 crisis, clean energy technologies in the energy sector to boost Europe's economic recovery.
Portugal's intervention focused on the development of investments in clean energy in energy sector, aiming to achieve the energy and climate goals in 2030 and support economic recovery; highlighted the relevance of innovative sustainable technologies; the promotion of renewable gases, such as, green hydrogen; the focus on energy interconnections, infrastructure and renewable energy projects, as well as the interest in buildings renovation and the promotion of sustainable mobility. The European Commission highlighted several financial instruments to support the energy transition.
It was referred that the global assessment of the National Energy and Climate Plans wold be launched in September and October 2020, along with the Report on the State of the Energy Union, the recommendations for each Member State will be presented.
Informal Video Conference of EU Energy Ministers, 28 April 2020
This Videoconference was attended by the Portuguese Minister of Environment and Climate Action.
The Energy Ministers discussed the "Impact of COVID-19 on the energy sector", aiming to assess the measures taken to strengthen preparedness and identify the energy sector's contribution to a fast response towards the pandemic crisis.
Portugal considered that the EU's need for economic recovery, due to the crisis triggered by COVID-19, cannot be a justification that may jeopardize the 27 MS' "green" objectives, defending "sustainable investments" in the energy area. Also defended that investing in electricity production from renewable sources will be crucial to overcome the crisis caused by the pandemic. The Commission highlighted that the recovery plan will be complementary to national incentive packages, and that MS measures should move towards climate neutrality.
The European Commission also reported to the MS the status of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NEEAP) and the Long-Term Strategy for Building Renovation (ELPRE).
EU Directors General Meetings
EU Energy Directors-General Meeting of 2nd February 2022
The EU Energy Directors-General Meeting was held on 2 February 2022, in virtual format, to discuss the current situation of excessive energy prices and security of natural gas supply.
Ditte Jørgensen, Director-General of DG ENER, stressed the importance of the issue in the context of the current situation of excessive energy prices, geopolitical conflicts in Eastern Europe and the preparation of the EU-US Energy Council. DGENER stated that there is no risk of disruption or danger to security of supply, due to the new LNG infrastructure and the increased capacity of some pipelines and pointed to the Commission's toolbox and the voluntary joint buying and storage platform as the main measures to tackle this conjuncture.
The Director-General for Energy of France agreed with the Commission, emphasising the need to protect the most vulnerable consumers and the need for European coordination and solidarity, with the EU's vulnerability to be reduced in the medium term. A presentation on security of supply and energy prices was presented by the Commission, followed by delegations exchanged of views. Portugal, represented by the Director General for Energy and Geology, João Bernardo, listed the current level of natural gas storage (80%) in Portugal and highlighted the importance of interconnections and the Iberian Peninsula's capacity to receive LNG and supply the single European gas market, also emphasising the importance of cooperation between MS.
The Commission and the French Presidency agreed on the need to accelerate the energy transition, reducing dependence on fossil fuels as a priority, and the Commission mentioned the dilemma of not conducting more investment into natural gas infrastructure on one hand and ensuring security of supply on the other.
EU Energy Directors-General Meeting, 17th May 2021
On the 17th of May, a Meeting of the European Union Energy Directors-General was held, organized by the Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission, in collaboration with the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (PPUE 21). The Meeting addressed the future EU legislative package, concerning the Decarbonization of Hydrogen and Gas Markets, promoting debate among the Directors General for Energy.
The opening session was chaired by the European Commission's Director General for Energy, Ditte Jørgensen, and the Director General for Energy and Geology, João Bernardo.
Ditte Jørgensen highlighted the importance of gas regulation principles and building with flexibility the transition to the hydrogen and renewable gas market as well as national plans and strategies.
João Bernardo, representing the PPUE, stressed that the EU should be at the forefront and promote the competitiveness of green hydrogen, create and regulate the market, build and adapt existing infrastructure and develop systems of guarantees of origin for gases of renewable origin (hydrogen, biogas, biomethane) and the need to revise the gas market rules, that should be consistent and shows long-term signals to investors.
Joint Informal Meeting of Directors-General for Energy and Climate, 10 March 2021
The Director General of Energy and Geology, João Bernardo, and the President of the Portuguese Environment Agency, Nuno Lacasta, attended the meeting. The European Commission presented the results of the public consultations on the energy and climate legislative proposals of the "Fit for 55" package and promoted the debate.
The Director General of DGEG highlighted the importance of this legislative package, to be formally presented by the Commission in June , given the increasing European climate ambition, having highlighted the priorities of the PPUE21, the role of energy efficiency for the competitiveness of companies, hydrogen for energy transition and the need to ensure the commitment to an interconnected Europe and the relevance of the ongoing review of the Regulation of Trans-European Energy Infrastructure as one of the challenges of the current semester.
The European Commission presented the progress on the National Long-Term Strategies and the United Nations High Level Energy Dialogue.
European Union Energy Directors-General Meeting, 5 November 2020
The Meeting of EU Directors General for Energy promoted by the European Commission and the German Presidency of the EU Council took place on November 5th, aimed to discuss the "Renovation Wave", Initiative in the context of the EU Economic Recovery. The Portuguese delegation was led by the Director General of the DGEG, João Bernardo.
The Commission informed that the "Renovation Wave" Strategy, adopted on 14.10.2020, aims to improve the building's energy performance and foresees doubling renovation rates in the next ten years and ensuring that renovations lead to better efficiency. It is expected that by 2030, it will be feasible to renovate 35 million buildings and create 160,000 green jobs in the building sector in the EU.
Portugal participated in one of the thematic sessions and warned to the fact that improving the energy performance of buildings would reduce the country's energy dependence, with special attention being given to older residential buildings, and pointed out that social tariffs do not allow consumers to leave the situation of energy poverty, but mitigate only the problem, so it will be crucial to have an Energy Poverty Strategy concerted with other social policies.
The German Presidency welcomed the contributions of the delegations in drafting the Council conclusions on Offshore Renewables and on Hydrogen to be adopted by the end of 2020.
Joint Meeting of Directors General for Energy and Climate Action (Video Conference), 22 September 2020
This meeting, organized by the German Presidency and the European Commission, was attended by the Director General of Energy, Mr. João Bernardo. This meeting had a primary objective, namely an exchange of views on raising the EU's level of ambition for 2030, regarding the climate and its relationship with the National Energy and Climate Plans (NEEAP), aiming to achieve carbon neutrality and a green and sustainable economy.
Meeting of General Directors for Energy, 29 May 2020
This Meeting, organized by the Croatian Presidency and the European Commission, was attended by the Director General of Energy, Mr. João Bernardo.
The European Commission highlighted the relevance of decarbonizing the economy to achieve the energy and climate goals in 2030 and 2050. The integration of the energy system is a prerequisite for decarbonization, ensuring the security of supply, stability and flexibility of the system, and hydrogen. Portugal supported a decarbonized, decentralized and digitalized energy system; and endorsed the European strategy for integration of energy systems. Highlighted the importance of pursuing efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. It was necessary to promote green hydrogen by providing financial instruments to accelerate the energy transition in a sustainable manner towards a Europe that is less dependent on energy imports and more competitive.
In the last session devoted to the Renovation Wave Initiative, COM reported that an Action Plan for the Renovation of Buildings in Europe would be presented in September, focusing on financial and investment facets.