EU commissionEU commission calls for 'Europeanising' of energy policy
Towards a European Energy Community for the 21st Century 
Towards a European Energy Community: A Policy Proposal 
Study by Sami Andoura, Leigh Hancher, Marc Van der Woude
Initiated by Jacques Delors, this report is the harvest of the work of the Task Force of high-level European experts to study the feasibility of a European Energy Community. The report was elaborated by Marc van der Woude and Leigh Hancher as co-chairs and Sami Andoura as rapporteur. (01/04/2010) 
A large circulation and media debate 
Notre Europe’s proposal, viewed nearly 10,000 times, has started a substantial European debate in the media and blogs.
Seminar at Helsinki on the European Energy Community, the Nordic experience and the case of the Baltic 
On the invitation of the Finnish Foreign Minister, Notre Europe and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs is organising, Thursday, October 7th, 2010 at Helsinki, an Expert Seminar in order to discuss the European Energy Community, the Nordic experience, regional energy cooperation, and the specific case of the Baltic.
Exceptional Debate with Herman Van Rompuy 
The Forum of the Newspaper ‘Libération’ debate on the European Energy Community 
On the occasion of Libération’s Forum at Lyon on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of September 2010, Notre Europehas organized a debate on the theme “For a European Energy Community” with Elisabeth Guigou, MEP, former Minister, and member of Notre Europe’s Board and Yannick Jadot, MEP and environmental activist.
Debate Conference in Italy - “A European Energy Community for the 21st Century” 
Notre Europe in cooperation with the Compagnia di san Paolo organised a conference in Turin on June 30, 2010, on its proposal for a European Energy Community.
The European Energy Community at the heart of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting 
Notre Europe introduced the debate over the selected topic « Towards a European Energy Community for the 21st Century » in the context of the Joint Parliamentary Meeting, under the Spanish Presidency of the EU on the 7th and 8th of June 2010.
Expert seminar on the institutional and legal dimensions 
On the 4th of May 2010, Notre Europe organized an expert seminar in order to study the legal feasibility of the European Energy Community as well as the various instruments that would allow for it to be developed.
Joint declaration by Jacques Delors and Jerzy Buzek 
Notre Europe’s policy was supported by Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, and Jacques Delors in a joint Declaration on the 5th May 2010.
Presentation to the European Parliament 
Notre Europe presented its proposal to the European Parliament on the 5th of May 2010 in the presence of Jacques Delors, Jerzy Buzek, Günther Oettinger, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa and the authors of the report.
Discussion group with the Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger 
On the occasion of the Third Europe Forum in Strasbourg on the 17th of April 2010, Notre Europe organized a discussion group centered around its proposal with the European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger.
Forthcoming
Analysis of how the European Union might develop an overarching energy strategy in its relations with external partners and in its different external policies (CFSP, ENP, trade, development)
Comparative analysis of the different forms of energy and environmental taxation (carbon tax, border tax, corporate tax, etc.) - and the link with the budgetary debate and the question of the Union's own resources
Research on the possible "operational" implementation of the principle of energy solidarity (Lisbon Treaty) in law and in practice - in addition to the intra-European dimension of energy security (storage, preventive mechanisms and crisis management)
Recent publications
Note by Sami Andoura (04/07/2010)
Note by Sami Andoura, Csilla Végh (17/11/2009)
Note by Marc Van der Woude, Leigh Hancher, Sami Andoura (07/06/2010)
Tribune by Sami Andoura (30/06/2010)
Tribune by Sami Andoura, Jacques Delors, Leigh Hancher, Marc Van der Woude (01/04/2010)
article by Sami Andoura include in TGAE report
By Martin Banks - 15th October 2010
The task of putting the foundation stones in place and preparing our people for the challenges ahead is urgent
The European commission is set to reveal a major blueprint it says is designed to secure EU energy supply beyond the next decade.
An internal commission document seen by this website says the EU is on the "threshold of an unprecedented" period for energy policy.
It says that while energy markets have been "largely cushioned" from the effects of the downturn "dramatic changes" are occurring.
Energy prices will be hit by the rising investment needs of the sector, it warns, adding that supply
security will be "undermined" unless electricity grids are upgraded and "obsolete plants" replaced.
Controversially, it says that the best way of dealing with such issues and securing EU energy
supplies in future will be to "Europeanise" energy policy.
"These challenges will be tackled most effectively by policies and action at EU level."
It says the "strategy" will "drive major efforts in technical innovation and investment" and "foster a
dynamic and competitive market."
The new energy strategy identifies five "priorities", including:
An efficient use of energy "that translates into 20 per cent savings by 2020".
An "integrated market providing competitive prices, choices and security of supply;
Technological leadership delivering innovative and cost-efficient solutions;
Secure and safe provision of energy and
"Strong international partnership, notably with our neighbours."
The communication warns, "Time, however, is short. Most of the proposals to achieve the 2020
goals will, therefore, be issued in the coming 18 months."
Member states have adopted ambitious climate and energy objectives for 2020 as well as a
long-term commitment to decarbonisation.
But the communication cautions that the EU "is unlikely to achieve its 2020 targets and will fail on
its 2050 ambitions to decarbonise the electricity and transport sectors without a technological shift."
It says the strategy is closely linked with other policy areas, including industrial, competition, transport,
agriculture, climate and research, and it is likely that many of the necessary structural changes will not
be completed in the period to 2020 which this strategy covers.
"However, the task of putting the foundation stones in place and preparing our people for the challenges
ahead is urgent.
"This strategy must also prepare the EU for the very rapid changes which our energy system will
need post-2020 to achieve the 2050 aims.
It goes on to say that despite the "importance" of EU energy policy aims there are "serious gaps in delivery."
The internal energy market, it says, is "fragmented" and "has not achieved its potential for transparency,
accessibility and choice. As companies grow beyond national borders their development is still hampered
by a collection of different national rules."
It also says the leadership the EU has sought on tackling climate change is "challenged", saying that
cities in the US and China offer the "best investment opportunities" for renewable energy.
Europe needs a common energy policy in order to guarantee access for its citizens to energy at reasonable and stable prices; to maintain its industrial competitiveness; to promote sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon society; and to ensure the security of energy supply for all Europeans. In the light of with these multiple challenges and energy constraints, Notre Europe began a process of reflection on the future of European energy policy, and in regard developed Jacques Delors’s proposal for a "European Energy Community.”
To meet all these challenges and to put in place a coherent and integrated single regulatory space for energy in Europe, a new approach aimed at deeper integration and solidarity in the field of energy is required. The most ambitious option, but also the most promising, would be to create a European Energy Community with its own rules and methods specific to the energy field, integrating the economic, political and strategic dimensions. A common energy policy will clearly not be brought about overnight. But Europe cannot afford to wait. Will Europe choose to play a pro-active role in the next industrial revolution, or will it be content to follow the lead set by others?
When six European states decided in 1951 to integrate two key sectors of their economies to create a Community, their purpose was to replace conflict with cooperation and antagonism with prosperity. Energy was one of the sectors. Almost sixty years later, energy is still at the top of the political and economic agenda. However, the rules that ensured equal access to common resources no longer exist. Should we not work to reframe them in a manner commensurate with the challenges Europe faces? This would be a way of responding to the concerns of our fellow citizens and their call for a common political project in the field of energy. Notre Europe will be deeply involved in the ongoing debate on the future of European energy policy, and will pursue the debate over the European Energy Community in the months to come with various important public, private, non-governmental, local, national, regional and European stakeholders.
Sami ANDOURA
The 20th of September, during the Notre Europe’s debate organized in Sciences-Po Paris, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy paid a tribute, in his speech, to the Energy Report of the think tank and affirmed that it will be reported during the next European Council of next February.
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