Energy

The energy system is the backbone of the European economy, and as such it currently undergoes a profound transition. The EU is confronted with manifold changes and challenges. Final energy costs are rising, the energy system becomes more decentralised, consumers turn into 'prosumers' and renewable energy is increasing its share in the energy mix.

Import dependency is expected to increase from around 50% of total EU consumption in 2014 to 65% in 2030 with higher reliance on gas and oil imports. At the same time the energy efficiency improvement intensifies. 

BusinessEurope welcomes the 'Energy Union' strategy as an important first step to balance the EU’s energy, climate and industrial challenges better than in the past. It now needs to be transformed into a true driver of industrial growth. Action is key.

The challenge of high energy prices should receive the necessary attention through implementing a coherent and targeted approach to remove policy-driven costs. A strengthened energy policy coordination among member states, both on market and transmission side, is necessary to reap the benefits of the internal energy market. Existing EU legislation must be fully implemented and much needed cross-border connectivity projects rolled out. By implementing a determined diversification strategy, the EU should seize the opportunities coming from new suppliers entering the global energy markets and from the range of domestic resources.

Publications

Press releases Date
New study shows that Europe’s energy price gap will worsen without urgent action 04/07/2024
EU electricity market design reform: Step in the right direction 14/03/2023
EU electricity market design: Future-proofing that supports competitiveness of the European economy is needed 20/02/2023
Energy crisis: we need a game-changer proposal 24/10/2022
Energy crisis: European business urges leaders to support bold actions 20/10/2022
Energy crisis: European business calls for new EU-wide measures 06/10/2022
Addressing skyrocketing energy prices is a matter of survival for European companies and households 09/09/2022
Business calls on market-driven winter preparedness 20/07/2022
EU energy efficiency proposal needs a more realistic target and more flexibility 17/01/2018
Position papers Date
Energy and climate transition: How to strengthen the EU's competitiveness 04/07/2024
Comments and proposals for amendments to the EU electricity market design regulation 12/05/2023
Key principles for the reform of the EU electricity market design - a BusinessEurope position paper 13/02/2023
Permit-granting processes for renewable energy projects and power purchase agreements (PPAs) - BusinessEurope reply to the public consultation 12/04/2022
Hydrogen and decarbonised gas package - BusinessEurope reply to the 'gas networks' consultation 18/06/2021
Renewable energy directive (RED II) and energy efficiency directive (EED) - BusinessEurope comments 10/02/2021
Roadmap for an EU Smart Sector Integration Strategy - BusinessEurope's response 08/06/2020
Evaluation of the EU framework for taxation of energy products and electricity - BusinessEurope's reply to the public consultation 04/06/2018
Electricity market regulation - BusinessEurope's views 13/02/2018
Governance of the Energy Union: delivering on energy & climate plans, while keeping competitiveness in check 20/07/2017
Clean energy for all Europeans - BusinessEurope comments on the package 30/05/2017
Public letters Date
Liquified natural gas (LNG) export license applications and security of energy supply - Joint letter from BusinessEurope, Keidanren and the U.S. Chamber to the Hon. Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States 26/01/2024
Enhancing European industry competitiveness through Electricity Market Design - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to Coreper 1 08/06/2023
Emergency measures to combat the energy crisis - Letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the extraordinary Energy Council on 24 November 2022 22/11/2022
EU business urgently calls on tackling high energy prices - Letter from Fredrik Persson and Markus J. Beyrer to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission 28/09/2022
Taxonomy Complementary Delegated Act on gas and nuclear activities - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to Members of the European Parliament 23/06/2022
Revision process of the gas directive - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to Elisabeth Köstinger 18/10/2018
Trialogue negotiations on the electricity market regulation and the energy efficiency directive - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to Temenuzhka Petkova 07/06/2018
Gas directive - Letter from Markus J. Beyrer to members of the European Parliament ITRE Committee 14/03/2018
Reports and studies Date
European business views on a competitive energy & climate strategy 29/04/2019

Contact

Alexandre Affre

Deputy Director General
Tel:
+32 2 237 65 39

Agata Zalewska

Adviser
Tel:
+32 2 237 65 97
Last updated: 19 June 2018