title: Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Luxembourg covering the period 2021-2030

text:
               3.9.2019

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 297/60

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
      of 18 June 2019
      on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Luxembourg covering the period 2021-2030
      (2019/C 297/16)
      THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
      Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

                  (2)

                  Luxembourg submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 18 February 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

                  (3)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Luxembourgish draft integrated national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on that assessment.

                  (4)

                  In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

                  (5)

                  In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its integrated national energy and climate plan.

                  (6)

                  The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

                  (7)

                  With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

                  (8)

                  The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

                  (9)

                  In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Luxembourg (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Luxembourg (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

                  (10)

                  In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

                  (11)

                  Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

                  (12)

                  All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the staff working document published alongside this Recommendation (6).

                  (13)

                  There is a need for the final plan to provide a clear description of the additional policies and measures envisaged, accompanied by an impact assessment as well as an assessment of interactions between the different Energy Union dimensions, largely missing in the draft plan. The final plan would benefit from being more forward looking, taking into account the specific challenges from Luxembourg, notably due to its strong dependence on energy supply from neighbouring countries. It would also merit a specific attention to development of national flexibility measures, such as demand side response and storage.

                  (14)

                  The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from expanding information presented on recent and current measures and trends for macroeconomic competitiveness to cover specifically where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

                  (15)

                  The Commission's recommendations to Luxembourg are underpinned by the assessment of Luxembourg's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

            HEREBY RECOMMENDS LUXEMBOURG TAKES ACTION TO:

                  1.

                  Complement the information on planned policies and measures for the intended ambitious reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system and the achievement of the commitment under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) that land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions do not exceed removals. Provide further details on their scope, timeframe, likely impacts and any intended use of the flexibilities between the effort sharing and accounted LULUCF and emission trading sectors.

                  2.

                  Underpin the welcomed level of ambition of Luxembourg's 23-25 % renewable energy share for 2030 as contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (9) in a way that enables a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards and explain how such a baseline share will be met and maintained. Put forward detailed measures to meet the transport target and electrification penetration described in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on simplification of administrative procedures and on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

                  3.

                  Define its contribution as a specific value for both primary and final energy consumption and clearly present the expect savings and a more detailed impact assessment of the proposed policies and measures.

                  4.

                  Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2020 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

                  5.

                  Intensify the already excellent regional cooperation within the Pentalateral Energy Forum based on the political declaration of 4 March 2019 to extend this regional cooperation to specifically include the development and monitoring of the national energy and climate plans in particular as regards relevant issues for cross-border cooperation. Consider specifically efforts to decarbonise transport from a regional perspective.

                  6.

                  Provide a comprehensive assessment of overall investment needs to achieve the objectives, as well as information on the financial sources to be mobilised for implementation of the existing and planned policies and measures.

                  7.

                  List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

                  8.

                  Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures and reinforcing quantitative analyses.

                  9.

                  Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying the assessment as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

         Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

               For the Commission

            Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

               Member of the Commission

         (1)  OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

         (2)  SWD(2019) 266.

         (3)  Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

         (4)  SWD(2019) 1015 final.

         (5)  COM(2019) 516 final of 5 June 2019.

         (6)  SWD(2019) 266.

         (7)  SWD(2019) 266.

         (8)  Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 1).

         (9)  Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

         (10)  Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 16).


title: Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Malta covering the period 2021-2030

text:
               3.9.2019

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 297/68

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
      of 18 June 2019
      on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Malta covering the period 2021-2030
      (2019/C 297/18)
      THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
      Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

                  (2)

                  Malta submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 December 2018. The submission of this plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

                  (3)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Maltese draft integrated national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on that assessment.

                  (4)

                  In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

                  (5)

                  In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its integrated national energy and climate plan.

                  (6)

                  The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

                  (7)

                  With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

                  (8)

                  The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

                  (9)

                  In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Malta (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Malta (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

                  (10)

                  In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

                  (11)

                  Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

                  (12)

                  All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the staff working document published alongside this Recommendation (6).

                  (13)

                  In the final plan Malta should build on the positive interlinkages between planned policies and measures pointed out in the draft plan, and explore the more challenging policy interlinkages, notably between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. Malta would also need to set more concrete, measureable and time-related policy objectives for all five dimensions.

                  (14)

                  The final integrated national energy and climate plan could be complemented with more comprehensive measures to tap into the potential of interactions with the circular economy.

                  (15)

                  The Commission's recommendations to Malta are underpinned by the assessment of Malta's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

            HEREBY RECOMMENDS MALTA TAKES ACTION TO:

                  1.

                  Plan additional domestic measures, in particular in the building and transport sectors, and quantify their expected impacts, in order to reduce the significant gap to its 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of - 19 % compared to 2005. For reasons of cost-effectiveness some transfers of annual emission allocation from other Member States, as provided for by Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (8), could be justified.

                  2.

                  Significantly increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 21 % as Malta's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and after due consideration of relevant circumstances and national constraints. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive 2018/2001/EC of the European Parliament and Council (9), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide more detailed measures to meet the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide more details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

                  3.

                  Substantially increase the ambition towards reducing final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Concrete additional energy efficiency measures particular for the building and transport are needed in order to meet to be proposed for the 2021-2030 period.

                  4.

                  Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and possibly the increased role of demand response in the electricity sector.

                  5.

                  Further elaborate national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

                  6.

                  Further improve the level of detail of the objectives and policies and measures of the final integrated national energy and climate plan notably to set clear, measureable and forward-looking objectives for the internal market dimension and research, innovation and competitiveness dimensions; and illustrate to what extent the envisaged plans of petroleum exploration are in line with longer-term decarbonisation goals.

                  7.

                  Complement the mainly qualitative references to some of the projected investment needs, expenditures and funding sources, with further quantification in order to obtain a comprehensive assessment of overall investment needs to achieve the objectives, as well as information on the national and Union financial sources to be mobilised.

                  8.

                  List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

                  9.

                  Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

                  10.

                  Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures.

         Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

               For the Commission

            Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

               Member of the Commission

         (1)  OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

         (2)  SWD(2019) 268.

         (3)  Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

         (4)  SWD (2019) 1017 final.

         (5)  COM (2019) 518 final of 5 June 2019.

         (6)  SWD(2019) 268.

         (7)  SWD(2019) 268.

         (8)  Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).

         (9)  Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).


title: Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Netherlands covering the period 2021-2030

text:
               3.9.2019

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 297/72

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
      of 18 June 2019
      on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Netherlands covering the period 2021-2030
      (2019/C 297/19)
      THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
      Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

                  (2)

                  The Netherlands submitted their draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 20 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

                  (3)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Dutch draft integrated national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on that assessment.

                  (4)

                  In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

                  (5)

                  In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its national plan.

                  (6)

                  The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

                  (7)

                  With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

                  (8)

                  The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

                  (9)

                  In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for the Netherlands (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to the Netherlands (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

                  (10)

                  In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

                  (11)

                  Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

                  (12)

                  All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the staff working document published alongside this Recommendation (6).

                  (13)

                  The draft plan is based mainly on existing policy of the Netherlands, notably the 2017 Coalition Agreement and the 2013 Energy Agreement (Energieakkoord). Several elements should be added across the Energy Union dimensions, related both to the level of ambition proposed and the accompanying policies and measures, as well as the associated impact assessment. Specific attention is needed on managing interlinkages between the decarbonisation and energy efficiency dimensions and the other dimensions, notably by presenting more concrete and quantifiable objectives related to energy security, internal market and research, innovation and competitiveness, and how these will support the achievement of the decarbonisation, renewables and energy efficiency ambitions. It should be better explained how the energy efficiency first principle was taken into account. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

                  (14)

                  The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from expanding on competitiveness aspects, to cover specifically the low-carbon technologies sector, including for decarbonising energy and carbon-intensive industrial sectors. Measurable objectives for the future defined on that basis would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy.

                  (15)

                  The Commission's recommendations to Netherlands are underpinned by the assessment of Netherlands's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

            HEREBY RECOMMENDS THE NETHERLANDS TAKES ACTION TO:

                  1.

                  Underpin the welcome level of ambition of a 27-35 % renewable energy share for 2030 as the Netherlands' contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) in a way that enables a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set out in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards, and explain how it intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Put forward trajectories and corresponding measures in the heating and cooling sector and the transport sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on simplification of administrative procedures on the enabling framework for renewable self-consumption renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

                  2.

                  Review its final energy consumption contribution in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and identify additional policies and measures that could deliver further energy savings by 2030. List additional policies and measures to the ones already in place for the purposes of achieving the Netherlands' 2020 energy efficiency targets. The expected impact in terms of energy savings, their implementation period and the targeted sectors are required in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. Continue efforts regarding the energy saving obligation schemes beyond 2020, taking into account that the energy savings obligation in 2021-2030 is more ambitious than the current one.

                  3.

                  Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and electricity generation adequacy in light of the ambitious renewables target.

                  4.

                  Clarify the national objectives and funding targets research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2021 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

                  5.

                  Intensify the already excellent regional cooperation arrangements within the Pentalateral Energy Forum based on the political declaration of 4 March 2019 to extend this regional cooperation to specifically include the development and monitoring of the national energy and climate plans in particular as regards relevant issues for cross-border cooperation.

                  6.

                  Provide a general overview of the investment needs to achieve the climate and energy objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national and regional level.

                  7.

                  List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

                  8.

                  Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

                  9.

                  Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. Include a dedicated assessment of energy poverty issues, along with related objectives or specific policies or measures as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

         Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

               For the Commission

            Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

               Member of the Commission

         (1)  OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

         (2)  SWD(2019) 227.

         (3)  Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

         (4)  SWD (2019) 1018 final.

         (5)  COM (2019) 519 final of 5 June 2019.

         (6)  SWD(2019) 227.

         (7)  SWD(2019) 227.

         (8)  Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

         (9)  Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 16).


title: Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Austria covering the period 2021-2030

text:
               3.9.2019

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 297/76

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
      of 18 June 2019
      on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Austria covering the period 2021-2030
      (2019/C 297/20)
      THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
      Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

                  (2)

                  Austria submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 December 2018. The submission of this draft plans represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

                  (3)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Austrian draft integrated national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on that assessment.

                  (4)

                  In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

                  (5)

                  In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its national plan.

                  (6)

                  The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

                  (7)

                  With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

                  (8)

                  The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

                  (9)

                  In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Austria (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Austria (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

                  (10)

                  In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

                  (11)

                  Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

                  (12)

                  All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the staff working document published alongside this Recommendation (6).

                  (13)

                  Austria could further elaborate in the final plan the interlinkages between the decarbonisation, internal market and energy security dimensions, especially considering the ongoing transformation of the energy system with an objective of 100 % renewable electricity system and the implications this might have e.g. on the attainment of the 15 % interconnectivity target. In view of the importance of bioenergy for achieving Austria's renewable energy and greenhouse gas targets, further analysis of the implications for accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry and air pollutant emissions would be welcome. As the use of hydro power is important, also the climate change impacts on energy security could be considered.

                  (14)

                  The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from increased attention to industry competitiveness and to Austria's competitive strengths and potential challenges in its transition to a carbon neutral energy sector. Measurable objectives for the future would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise, industrial and education policy.

                  (15)

                  The Commission's recommendations to Austria are underpinned by the assessment of Austria's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

            HEREBY RECOMMENDS AUSTRIA TAKES ACTION TO:

                  1.

                  Complement the measures it plans to introduce in the building and transport sectors in order to achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas target of -36 % compared to 2005 for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system, with measures notably in the agriculture and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sectors. Specify its intended use of the flexibilities between the effort sharing, accounted LULUCF and emissions trading system sectors.

                  2.

                  Put forward a share of renewable energy of at least 46 % as contribution to the Union's renewable energy target for 2030, as indicated by the formula in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, while maintaining the ambitious renewable electricity target. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Indicate detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) and enabling a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Furthermore, put forward trajectories and corresponding measures in the heating, cooling and transport sectors to meet the indicative target pursuant to Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target pursuant to Article 25 of the same Directive. Provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Article 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

                  3.

                  Review its contributions and identify additional policies and measures that could deliver further energy savings by 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts in order to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Clarify its national contribution, which is currently open to two different options, and express it in both primary and final energy consumption. Further substantiate its provisional indications about the policies and measures to be implemented after 2020, for which their timeline of implementation, clear objectives and expected impacts and savings should be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan.

                  4.

                  Set out concrete objectives on the diversification of oil and gas and on supply from third countries, on the reduction of energy import dependency and on improving resilience and flexibility of the national energy system.

                  5.

                  Further clarify national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

                  6.

                  Continue regional cooperation, including consultations with neighbouring countries, both with a view to finalising and implementing the integrated national energy and climate plan, notably in the context of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group and the Pentalateral Energy Forum, especially considering Austria's role as a regional gas hub and in view of the Austrian objective to raise the share of renewables in the electricity sector to 100 %.

                  7.

                  Provide a general overview on the investment needed to reach its energy and climate objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level.

                  8.

                  List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

                  9.

                  Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

                  10.

                  Better integrate just and fair transition aspects, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures, including in carbon-intensive and industrial regions. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing additional details on existing and potential measures, the energy-poverty plans and their expected impact, while at the same time completing the analysis as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

         Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

               For the Commission

            Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

               Member of the Commission

         (1)  OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

         (2)  SWD(2019) 226.

         (3)  Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

         (4)  SWD(2019) 1019 final.

         (5)  COM(2019) 520 final of 5 June 2019.

         (6)  SWD(2019) 226 final.

         (7)  SWD(2019) 226 final.

         (8)  Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).


title: Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Romania covering the period 2021-2030

text:
               3.9.2019

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 297/88

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
      of 18 June 2019
      on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Romania covering the period 2021-2030
      (2019/C 297/23)
      THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
      Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

                  (2)

                  Romania submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 December 2018. The submission of this draft planss represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

                  (3)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Romanian draft integrated national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on that assessment.

                  (4)

                  In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

                  (5)

                  In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its national plan.

                  (6)

                  The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

                  (7)

                  With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

                  (8)

                  The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

                  (9)

                  In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Romania (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Romania (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

                  (10)

                  In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

                  (11)

                  Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

                  (12)

                  All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the staff working document published alongside this Recommendation (6).

                  (13)

                  The final plan should further develop the assessment of interlinkages between policies and measures, and describe how Romania intends to address them. In particular the plan should describe the synergies between the decarbonisation, the energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle. The interaction between the planned further use of coal and gas at the 2030 horizon and the decarbonisation objectives needs to be assessed. Similarly, an assessment of policy interactions and cross-cutting impacts should be included for policies and measures with a wide-ranging impact, such as planned new capacities built against the energy efficiency and decarbonisation dimensions, the latest regulatory measures concerning the energy market against the internal market and security of supply objectives, and the impacts of decarbonisation measures in transport and the increased use of renewables on the grid. The impact of the increased use of forest biomass in electricity and heat production on the accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry should also be assessed. Moreover, objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

                  (14)

                  The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from assessing the results of the national competitiveness strategy 2014-2020, presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market as well as highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges. It could also be complemented with more comprehensive measures to tap into the potential of interactions with circular economy.

                  (15)

                  The Commission's recommendations to Romania are underpinned by the assessment of Romania's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

            HEREBY RECOMMENDS ROMANIA TAKES ACTION TO:

                  1.

                  Significantly raise the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 34 % as Romania's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put in place adequate measures to meet the transport target set in its integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Put in place measures to simplify the licensing and permitting procedures and provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the specific measures to ensure sustainability for biomass supply and use in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass to Romania across the energy mix, especially in heating and cooling.

                  2.

                  Substantially increase the ambition for reducing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Provide more clarity on existing policies and measures and provide more detailed information on the planned policies and measures for the whole 2021 to 2030 period, in particular on their expected savings and impacts as well as timeline for implementation.

                  3.

                  Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, in particular measures ensuring flexibility and a robust gas diversification strategy including relevant underlying infrastructure projects and the elimination of the undue restrictions to investments in gas production considering the regional potential of the reserves in the Black Sea. Detail the strategy to ensure the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel in view of the enlargement of the nuclear generation capacity and detail information concerning the strategy to maintain its domestic capabilities in the fuel cycle.

                  4.

                  Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop liquid and competitive wholesale and retail markets, both by fostering competition within the country and by eliminating barriers to cross-border trade, including export restrictions. Address the negative impact of wholesale price regulation and provide a clear outlook to ensure compliance of national legislation with Union law with respect to open and liberalised markets and free price formation by including a strategy and timeline for progress towards fully market based prices, while including targeted measures to protect vulnerable customers.

                  5.

                  Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2020 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

                  6.

                  Intensify regional cooperation with neighbouring Member States and within established regional cooperation frameworks such as the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High Level Group including in gas and electricity infrastructure, renewables, energy efficiency and research, innovation and competitiveness, and taking into account common challenges and shared objectives. There is significant potential to further cooperate with a view to foreseen developments in the electricity sector, including the need to accommodate higher shares of renewables and clean transport, which could impact electricity interconnections and trading in the region.

                  7.

                  Extend its analysis of investment needs and risks provided for its Energy Strategy objectives, to a general overview of investment needs to reach the objectives of its integrated national energy and climate plan. Provide a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

                  8.

                  List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

                  9.

                  Include an analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

                  10.

                  Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by considering social and employment impacts, listing more concrete measures and timeframes to address energy poverty, as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Discuss the needs and measures addressing the structural changes entailed by the clean energy transition for mono-industrial regions such as those depending on the coal industry or other energy-intensive sectors.

         Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

               For the Commission

            Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

               Member of the Commission

         (1)  OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

         (2)  SWD(2019) 273.

         (3)  Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

         (4)  SWD (2019) 1022 final.

         (5)  COM (2019) 523 final of 5 June 2019.

         (6)  SWD(2019) 273.

         (7)  SWD(2019) 273.

         (8)  Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

         (9)  Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).


title: Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovakia covering the period 2021-2030

text:
               3.9.2019

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 297/96

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
      of 18 June 2019
      on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovakia covering the period 2021-2030
      (2019/C 297/25)
      THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
      Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

                  (2)

                  Slovakia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

                  (3)

                  Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Slovak draft integrated national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on that assessment.

                  (4)

                  In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

                  (5)

                  In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its national plan.

                  (6)

                  The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

                  (7)

                  With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

                  (8)

                  The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

                  (9)

                  In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Slovakia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Slovakia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

                  (10)

                  In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

                  (11)

                  Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

                  (12)

                  All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the staff working document published alongside this Recommendation (6).

                  (13)

                  The final plan should identify interlinkages and ensure coherence between the different dimensions. The holistic approach, already done in the national multi-stakeholder discussions on tackling energy poverty, while taking into account internal market and energy efficiency dimensions, should be extended to all the dimensions. Climate change impacts as a risk for energy security could also be addressed. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

                  (14)

                  The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

                  (15)

                  The Commission's recommendations to Slovakia are underpinned by the assessment of Slovakia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

            HEREBY RECOMMENDS SLOVAKIA TAKES ACTION TO:

                  1.

                  Significantly raise the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 24 % as Slovakia's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy and as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put in place adequate measures to meet the transport target set in its integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Put forward concrete measures to reduce administrative burden and in relation to the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive 2018/2001/EC. Provide additional details on the specific measures to ensure sustainability for biomass supply and use in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass to Slovakia across the energy mix and especially in heating and cooling.

                  2.

                  Increase its ambition regarding both final and primary energy consumption in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Provide a proper quantification of the energy savings expected from the planned policies and measures as part of a more detailed impact assessment.

                  3.

                  Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel in view of the development of the nuclear generation capacity.

                  4.

                  Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive wholesale and retail markets, including progressing towards fully market based prices.

                  5.

                  Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2023 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

                  6.

                  Continue the consultation of neighbouring Member States and regional cooperation in the context of the Visegrad Group involving Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, and of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High Level Group, as well as bilateral cooperation, such as with Czechia on electricity distribution systems. The focus of regional exchanges could be on further integration in the internal energy market, assessing system adequacy, just transition issues and decarbonisation and renewables deployment and its impact on the energy system.

                  7.

                  Extend its analysis of investment needs and sources, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level, which is currently provided only for energy efficiency and research, to a general overview of investment needs to reach its energy and climate objectives. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

                  8.

                  List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

                  9.

                  Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

                  10.

                  Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. The final integrated national energy and climate plan should address the impacts of the transition of the populations living in the coal region of Horna Nitra and make the link to the Government's Action plan for the transition there, as well as of adjustments in other energy-intensive sectors. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing a dedicated assessment of energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

         Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

               For the Commission

            Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

               Member of the Commission

         (1)  OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

         (2)  SWD(2019) 274.

         (3)  Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

         (4)  SWD (2019) 1024 final.

         (5)  COM (2019) 525 final of 5 June 2019.

         (6)  SWD(2019) 274.

         (7)  SWD(2019) 274.

         (8)  Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

         (9)  Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).