Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 18/12/2017, 18 December 2017

Main results

The Council agreed its negotiating positions on four legislative proposals of the Clean energy package. This is an important step towards implementing the Energy Union strategy and reaching the European Union's 2030 energy and climate goals.

Governance of the Energy Union

This regulation sets out the governing rules of the Energy Union and will oversee the implementation of the 2030 EU climate and energy policy objectives.

It includes three benchmarks (in 2023, 2025 and 2027) to the indicative renewables trajectory for member states to ensure the EU achieves its renewables’ target of 27% by 2030.

• Governance of the Energy Union – Council agrees general approach (press release, 18/12/2017)

Renewables

This directive promotes renewable energy across the EU and in particular, empowers consumers to take the initiative and become producers themselves.

The Union is committed to reach a target of at least 27% renewable energy of its overall energy consumption by 2030. In the transport sector, the renewables target for 2030 is set at 14% for each member state.

• Promoting renewable energy use – Council adopts its position (press release, 18/12/2017)

Internal electricity market

This regulation is the cornerstone of the redesign of the EU electricity market and establishes the rules to ensure a modern, well-functioning, competitive and undistorted market with the aim of enhancing flexibility, decarbonisation and innovation.

• Creating a modern electricity market – Council agrees its position (press release, 19/12/2017)

Common rules for the internal electricity market

This directive sets out common rules to ensure that the EU electricity market is consumer-centred, flexible and non-discriminatory. Consumers will have more rights enabling them to become more active and engaged in the market.

In the future, electricity suppliers will be able to set prices freely. This will limit distortions, boost competition and lead to lower retail prices.

• A more competitive and consumer-oriented internal electricity market – Council reaches general approach (press release, 18/12/2017)

• Energy Union (background information)
• Clean energy package (European Commission)
• Paris climate agreement (background information)

These positions allow the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament next year under the co-decision legislative procedure.