15 Amendments of Seán KELLY related to 2016/2059(INI)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls thatConsiders that all EU citizens must have access to a secure and affordable supply of energy; is a basic human good and that the EU mustn this regard, highlights current developments in global LNG markets, where an oversupply has led to lower prices, presenting an opportunity to deliver lower energy costs for EU consumers through relatively cheaper gas supplies; considers that increased efforts to share best practices between Member States at EU level would be a welcome step to combat energy poverty;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that security of gas supply at Member State level will be enhanced through increased diversification of supplies, which can be achieved through international LNG trade and improving cross-border flows; Stresses that Member States should seek to diversify supply as a matter of priority where dependency on single supply points occur;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that through its emergence as an important market, the EU can contribute to the evolution of gas trading rules to improve flexibility and the convergence of global gas markets;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Believes that work on an EU LNG and Storage Strategy should go hand-in- hand with work on the Commission Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply and repealing Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 released in February 2016, as LNG and Storage can provide much need solutions in the event of a gas supply crisis;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Stresses that the global LNG market presents a significant opportunity to reduce energy dependence where Member States are heavily dependent on single suppliers; points to the example of Poland, where the new LNG terminal will greatly diversify supply options by delivering 4.9 bcm per year - the equivalent of one-third of Poland’s annual consumption - and cutting dependence on piped imports from Russia by half;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that in order to promote the transition towards a low-carbon society, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in the longer term and transition from coal-fired electricity generation to gas-fired generation in the medium term; notes that low gas prices in 2015 saw the competitiveness of gas-fired generation increase compared to coal;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers gas to be the transition fuel in the switch from an energy system based on fossil fuels to a system that is based on renewable energy, which must be the long term goal in efforts to mitigate the effects of Climate Change;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that it is estimated that gas imports to the EU will rise until 2030, even if gas demand within the EU simultaneously stays stagnant or declines; stresses that moderating energy demand and promoting renewable and local energy sources are among the most effective tools for reducing dependence on external energy; recalls that the EU has significant LNG import excess capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Highlights that indigenous production of gas in Europe is decreasing and that EU output in 2015, at 119 bcm, was 9% down on 2014 levels; as a result, stresses the need for increased imports and calls on the Commission to continue to seek out new trading opportunities;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that the EU has significant LNG import capacity overall, but that this capacity is not evenly distributed in geographical terms; therefore calls for the full use of EU regasification capacity and the sufficient integration of terminals into gas networks across the EU; highlights the growing strategic importance of gas storage in terms of ensuring a well- functioning EU gas market, and increasing energy security;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Expresses concern at the fact that in 2015, gas imports from Russia were 7% higher than they were in 2014, and at the fact that 41% of gas imports from outside the EU in 2015 came from Russia; highlights that the roles of LNG and gas storage, in addition to increased efficiencies and renewable energy deployment, in reducing dependence on Russian gas are vital;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Highlights the importance for EU Energy Security of the Energy and Raw Materials chapter of TTIP; welcomes the Commission’s work to remove export restrictions to the EU on US gas;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Considers the 12.2 bcm per year being added to the market in 2016 through Sabine Pass LNG on the US East Coast, along with potentially a further 74 bcm capacity being added through various US projects before 2020, to represent a significant opportunity for Europe to increase energy trade links with the US; believes that the conclusion of work on the Energy and Raw materials chapter of TTIP will significantly boost EU gas supply options;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)
Paragraph 6 e (new)
6e. Considers a completed, competitive and well-functioning internal gas-market with strategic supply points receiving LNG imports from extra-EU sources to be crucial to securing energy security and affordability for EU citizens; recalls, therefore, the Union list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) as outlined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/89 and urges Member States to work towards the completion of the 77 gas projects as soon as possible;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that LNG trading prices have been declining internationally and that price differentials between pipeline imports and LNG have also decreased; also points out that the convergence of Asian and European LNG prices has led to the development of a truly global market, and has made Europe an increasingly attractive destination for LNG exports; considers, therefore, that the key challenge is to address bottlenecks and energy security concerns in relation both to trade and to optimising storage capacity.