Commission staff working document
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According to the Commission Communication and Presidency Conclusions on the Energy Roadmap 2050, the core elements in developing a low-carbon 2050 energy system are energy infrastructure, renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency, and security of supply at affordable prices. These aspects are also the cornerstones of long term-energy policy planning in the Baltic Sea region. With a view to promoting regional development and prosperity, there is an urgent need to end the energy isolation of some Member States in the region, to foster market integration, and to support energy efficiency and sustainable energy sources throughout the macro-region. The European Council, meeting in February 2011, set targets for completing the internal energy market by 2014 and for ending the isolation of all the EU Member States by 2015. Isolated energy markets conflict with the EU vision of an integrated and competitive energy market. To reach this ambitious target energy market isolation of the Baltic Sea region is an urgent matter to be solved. In the Baltic Sea region, the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan has identified the key energy infrastructure that is necessary for a well-functioning energy market (e.g. electricity, gas, oil). Cooperation is initiated on energy issues under the Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation initiative (BASREC)32, giving special attention to renewables and energy efficiency issues. Levels of market functioning and competition in certain Member States are not sufficient to provide the right incentives for investments. This creates higher risks in terms of energy security and higher prices. In particular, the three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) have not been properly integrated into the wider energy networks of the rest of the EU. The only power connection is the Estlink between Finland and Estonia. However the second connection – Estlink 2 – between Finland and Estonia will ensure better connectivity. Also the cable between Sweden and Lithuania (NordBalt) and the new link between Lithuania and Poland (LitPol Link I) should improve better connectivity with the Nordic and Continental European electricity markets by the end of 2015. Decisions on gas interconnections and the regional LNG terminal are still pending which hamper proper gas integration or other ways to diversify gas supply in the Baltic States (although a LNG terminal currently under development in Lithuania will be operational by the end of 2014 to meet a part of its gas needs). Because of this, the Baltic States are practically isolated in the field of gas supply, and thus forming an ‘energy island’ in the EU. The fragmented structure of electricity markets and power systems lead to the following problems: (a) low market liquidity; (b) few incentives or opportunities for infrastructure investment especially in renewable energy sources, and c) high dependence on electricity imports from non-European Economic Area countries. There is also a lack of cooperation on natural gas issues, mainly due to the lack of gas interconnections with the rest of the region. Such situation means lack of cross-border trade and low market liquidity, higher prices, and less diversified energy sources. All EU/European Economic Area countries in the region should be part of the internal market for electricity and gas. However, the electricity markets are still at widely differing stages of liberalisation. It is this, linked to infrastructure gaps, that has impeded the physical integration of the three Baltic States. Further physical integration of the grids in the region is needed to bring benefits in overall efficiency, and to improve security of energy supply through increased diversification, including renewable resources. The security of energy supply should also be promoted by other means, such as energy efficiency, and indeed efforts to reduce energy demand overall. Promoting energy efficiency and utilising sustainable energy sources are the main means of attaining climate, energy and economic targets and of fostering sustainable growth. Market integration of renewable energy sources still remains a challenge. Proper infrastructure (energy market) is needed to reach the renewable energy target. This is a challenge that requires close involvement and support from all Member States concerned. Support schemes and cooperation mechanisms are further aspects where cooperative actions are needed from the states of the Baltic Sea region. Also, climate change mitigation needs to be considered in the development of energy markets. There might be a need to adapt to change in terms of when and how much energy is needed in response to climate change. Promoting the widespread use of wood, such as in the construction industry, is climate-smart and contributes to a sustainable society. Targets and indicators A comprehensive system for the design, the monitoring and the follow-up of indicators and targets will be set up in 2013, under the responsibility of the priority area coordinators. The still missing targets and deadline, baseline, and statistics/information sources related to the below indicators will be defined.
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