Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 26/11/2015, 26 November 2015

Main results

The Council reached a general approach on the proposal for a regulation setting a framework for energy efficiency labelling.

The main objective of the proposal is to promote innovation and the production of ever more energy efficient products. It enables customers to make informed choices about energy consumption when making their purchases, and thus contribute to the overall moderation of energy demand at Union level.

I welcome the conclusions adopted by the Council on a governance system for the Energy Union. This is an important step forward. These conclusions create the opportunity for the EU and member states to move from the existing technical approach to energy policy to a more integrated and political Energy Union. This will ensure that together we can benefit both business and consumers Minister Schneider, Minister for Economy and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg

The Council adopted conclusions on the Energy Union governance, which will provide guidance to the Commission for building the Energy Union in the months and years ahead, in particular regarding the governance instrument.

The governance system will monitor the EU's collective progress towards the achievement of EU energy and climate targets and its general policy objectives across the five dimensions. It will also  provide a consistent and transparent overview of the state of the Energy Union.

The Council held an orientation debate, in public session, on a new energy market design and on a new deal for energy consumers, as part of the follow-up to those two related Commission communications. Legislative proposals on both issues are expected for the second half of 2016.

The focus of the debate was on the role, responsibilities and powers of Distribution System Operators (DSO's) and the reform of the retail energy markets.

In this context, ministers took note of the first annual report of the Commission on the state of the Energy Union, presented by Commissioner Šefčovič. The report analysis the energy situation both at EU and national level, based on the Commissioner's visits to each member state and includes factsheets for each country, as well as recommendations from the Commission.

During a working lunch, ministers had an exchange of views on the forthcoming climate change conference in Paris (COP21), after being briefed by Commissioner Arias Cañete on the state of play of the preparations.