Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 04/12/2019, 4 December 2019

Main results

Smart sector integration: Promoting clean energy

Ministers held a policy debate on smart sector integration and its role for the decarbonisation of the European economy. The main focus of the debate was on how the EU can help enable sector integration and sector coupling, and what barriers - regulatory or otherwise - have to be removed to accelerate their development. Ministers agreed on the importance of sector integration for achieving the decarbonisation of the economy, especially for sectors which could not easily be electrified, while also underlining the importance of ensuring a level playing field. They called for further work in areas including the regulatory framework for sector integration, supporting research and innovation, the financing of innovative technologies and pilot projects, and cross-border cooperation.

• Watch the recording of the discussion

Energy policy priorities of the new Commission

Following a presentation by the new Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, ministers had an exchange of views on the energy policy priorities of the new Commission. Commissioner Simson highlighted the European Green Deal, one of the flagship initiatives of President von der Leyen, and explained that her energy policy priorities would be based on three pillars: people, planet, and partners. During the discussion, ministers widely welcomed the Commission's priorities and provided initial reactions to the plans outlined by the Commissioner.

• Watch the recording of the discussion (part 1)
• Watch the recording of the discussion (part 2)
• Commissioner Kadri Simson (European Commission)
• A European Green Deal (European Commission)

National energy and climate plans

The Council held an exchange of views on the follow-up to the Commission Communication on the draft national energy and climate plans "United in delivering the Energy Union and climate action". Several ministers highlighted their further progress in drawing up their final national energy and climate plans, which have to be submitted to the Commission by the end of the year.

A previous discussion on this topic took place at the Energy Council on 24 September 2019.

• Watch the recording of the debate
• Main results - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 24 September 2019
• National Energy and Climate Plans (European Commission)

Other items on the agenda

The Commission informed the Council about the latest developments in the trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine about the future of gas transit, and analysed the current situation in the EU with regard to the security of gas supply for the upcoming winter. In that regard, the Commission emphasised that gas storages are full and the preparedness level is higher than in the past.

The Presidency informed ministers about the progress made on the regulation on tyres labelling. A provisional agreement with the European Parliament was found on 13 November 2019.

• Labelling of tyres: Council endorses agreement to make labels more visible (press release, 22/11/2019)

The incoming Croatian Presidency presented its work programme for the next six months. The Croatian Presidency agenda will be based on four priorities: a Europe that is developing, a Europe that connects, a Europe that protects and an influential Europe. The Croatian delegation stressed its intention to continue the work on establishing and implementing the Energy Union.