On Monday in Luxembourg, the Energy Ministers in the European Union agreed on energy savings targets to reduce energy consumption in the European Union by 30 per cent by 2030.
"This is an important development for the Energy Ministers and the goals set are in line with the Paris climate agreement," said Kadri Simson, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia. When setting the energy efficiency target, the key objective of the European Union's climate and energy policy must be taken into account - reducing the total greenhouse gas emissions of the European Union by 40 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
The Ministers also agreed on energy efficiency in buildings. One of the most important changes is that electric vehicle charging points will be built in new large-scale buildings and existing ones undergoing reconstruction. "Long-term investments into the housing stock help to reduce people's energy bills," Simson remarked.
The ministers also heard out the European Commission's proposal to start negotiations on the construction of Nord Stream 2. "Estonia can see that Nord Stream 2 needs to comply with the principles of the European Energy Union, which is to diversify gas supply sources and routes," Simson said. "The Member States should also find a common solution on how to deal with similar projects in the future," she added.
Simson also met with the Spanish Minister of Energy Álvaro Nadal in Luxembourg to discuss energy diversification in the European Union.
In addition, the Minister gave her colleagues from the other Member States an overview of the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
/27.06.2017/