Energy is essential for Europe to function. The point of departure for contemporary European energy policy is threefold: combating climate change, limiting its external vulnerability to imported hydrocarbons, promoting growth and jobs, thereby providing secure and affordable energy to consumers. This approach also paves the way for the process of the Energy Community.
Improving the balance between energy supply and demand is crucial to boost and sustain economic development in the region. This requires a strong commitment by the Contracting Parties towards market oriented reforms in order to: improve overall energy conservation and efficiency, reduce an excessively high energy intensity of production compared to international standards, strengthen national institutional capacities and adapt legislation and regulation to EU norms and practices. It also means that countries should be prepared to draw fully on the substantial gains which can result from energy trading among themselves and with their neighbours.
In agreeing to establish Energy Community, the Contracting Parties have taken on a legally binding obligation to implement the relevant acquis communautaire, to set up regulatory structures and to liberalise their energy markets. To kick of the process, preparation of road maps evolved in 2006.
Yet, just as the EU energy policy has developed over time to take account of changing circumstances, so the activities of the Energy Community will also transform.
CONTENT
This section gives details on the areas of work of the Energy Community. In principle the breakdown is based on different energy sectors. Yet, as the challenges of contemporary energy policy demonstrate, some of the energy policy issues are of interlinked nature. They will be presented as an independent entity.
