49 Amendments of Algirdas SAUDARGAS related to 2015/2113(INI)
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 32 a (new)
Citation 32 a (new)
– having regard to Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC,
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Member States are exclusively competent for defining their energy mix, and the Commission must not encroach upon this competence by passing EU laws thashall assure that EU legislation does not discriminate against certain energy resources to the advantage of others;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the future vision of the Energy Union must be one in which Member States recognise that they depend on each other to deliver secure, competitive and sustainable energy to their citizens, based on true solidarity and trust, and in which the Energyuropean Union speaks with one voice in global affairs;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas EU energy and climate policies must complement each another, and their objectives must reinforce rather than undermine one another; the Energy Union should therefore complement European reindustrialisation targets, boost the transition to a low-emissicarbon economy and enhance the global competitiveness of the European economy, while effectively avoiding any threat of carbon leakage;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas EU companies have a share of 40 % of all patents for renewable technologies, which makes it a global leader as regards investmentnovation in renewable energy;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U a (new)
Recital U a (new)
Ua. whereas the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, notably in buildings, shall be recognized, such as improved energy security through a decreased dependency on imports, increased energy savings, lower energy bills, increased competitiveness, job creation;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 a (new)
Subheading 1 a (new)
Energy security, solidarity and trust
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to actively pursue the diversification of supply (energy sources, suppliers and routes); to this end, calls on the Commission to promote the construction of the relevant energy infrastructure priority corridors, as specified in Annex I to the trans-European energy networks (TEN-E) regulation and Part II of the Annex I to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) regulation, such as the Southern Gas Corridor, with a special focus on Member States with high dependency; calls on the Commission to prioritize the existing internal capacities including indigenous energy resources;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that it is of upmost importance to the EU to end the isolation of some Member States from the internal energy market, as demonstrated by the gas stress tests carried out by the Commission; calls on the Commission, in this regard, to carry out such tests every two yearsregularly;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, in the context of the future Energy Union, security of energy supply isand competitiveness are the most pressing issues and that Member States must coordinate and cooperate in this respect with their neighbours when developing their energy policies; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to examine how the current architecture of national preventive and emergency response measures could be streamlined at both regional and EU level;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that greater transparency of intergovernmental agreements could be achieved by strengthening the role of the Commission in energy-related negotiations involving one or more Member States and third countries, including by having the Commission participate in those negotiations if there is a risk of abuse of a dominant position by one supplier; notes that furthermore the Commission should carry out ex-ante and ex-post assessments and draw up both a positive and a negative list of agreement clauses, such as export ban and destination clauses;
Amendment 374 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that all future intergovernmental energy agreements with non-EU parties must be discussed with the Commission ahead of signing in order to make sure that they comply with EU legislation, in particular with the Third Energy Package and, that they are not threatening security of energy supply;
Amendment 395 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that in order to ensure a level playing field and strengthen the bargaining position of EU companies vis-à-vis external suppliers, key features of the contracts should be aggregated and regularly published so as to establish a transparent benchmark which can be referred tocreate transparency that can be utilized by competent authorities and companies in their future negotiations, whilst protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information and ensuring compliance with EU competition law;
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to estapublish an EU-wide target for reducing energy import dependency and to publish regular progress reports in this respectregular progress reports on energy import dependency;
Amendment 432 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that the Union can reduce its dependency on particular suppliers and fuels by maximising its use of indigenous sources of energy, including conventional and unconventional low-emissicarbon fossil fuels and renewables, and therefore stresses that no fuel or technology contributing to energy security and climate goals should be discriminated against;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to facilitate the effective use of existing EU funding schemes, including the European Fund for Strategic Investments, so as to support investment in the development of Europe's indigenous energy resources, based on a technology-neutral approach, and energy efficiency;
Amendment 501 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the Energy Community through, inter alia, better implementation and enforcement of EU law, enhancing its institutions and implementing key infrastructure projects, such as cross-border bidirectional interconnectors, in order to ensure better integration with the EU energy market and security of supply mechanisms;
Amendment 513 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 530 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Points out the importance of a flexible and dynamic internal energy market that ensures competitive and affordable energy prices for consumers that could be achieved through enhanced competition on the market, alleviation of excessive regulatory obligations and by addressing insufficient demand and supply flexibility;
Amendment 559 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Stresses that ensuring low energy prices for the final consumer is necessary to maintain the competitiveness of European industry, to create more jobs and to ensure economic growth;
Amendment 577 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes at the same time that market- based mechanisms must be complemented by tangible and ambitious solidarity mechanisms, such as more efficient EU regional and EU level crisis management, better use of LNG and gas storage and virtual capacity reserve mechanisms to be enshrinto be reflected in EU legislation, including the Security of Gas Supply Regulation, which, to this end, must be reviewed as soon as possible;
Amendment 579 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes at the same time that market- based mechanisms must be complemented by tangible and ambitious solidarity mechanisms, such as more efficient EU crisis management, better use of existing LNG and gas storage infrastructure, primarily for the security of supply on regional scale, and virtual capacity reserve mechanisms to be enshrined in EU legislation, including the Security of Gas Supply Regulation, which, to this end, must be reviewed as soon as possible;
Amendment 620 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Points out that a fully functioning internal energy market will not be completed until there are Member States with electricity systems dependent on a third country operator and stresses the importance and necessity to ensure Baltic States' synchronous operation within the Continental European Networks by 2025.
Amendment 649 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to concentrate their efforts on driving projects of common interest (PCIs) forward and provide thorough evaluation and follow-up mechanism, with a view to achieving a pan- European ‘super grid' with the capacity to transmit power across EU countries from multiple sources and therefore capable of diverting energy from surplus to deficit areas, thereby allowing the market to instantly respond to interruptionshortages of supply wherever they occur;
Amendment 677 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. SConsiders that strengthened regional cooperation and policies coordination is an essential step to broader EU-wide energy market integration; therefore supports regional approaches where there are particular regional challenges or opportunities, or where acting regionally could ensure security of supply, speed up market integration, including through the creation of regional hubs to enhance market liquidity;
Amendment 716 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the need to create a legislative framework that empowers consumers and makes them active participants in the market as investors and stakeholders; notes that consumers' involvement can be strengthened through, inter alia, energy cooperatives and micro-generation and - storage, rolling out smart-meters as well as enhanced transparency of prices and consumer choices; points out that such initiatives could contribute to reducing energy prices and help address serious social problems, such as fuel poverty;
Amendment 787 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls on the Commission and the Member states to encourage innovations in the building sector in order to improve the energy efficiency of buildings;
Amendment 791 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses that about half of primary energy in Europe is used for heating; Supports the Commission in the preparation of an ambitious EU Strategy for Heating and Cooling to tap the full potential for energy efficiency and the use of renewables on the heating market;
Amendment 821 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that a cautious revision of existing energy efficiency legislation, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, is needed in order not to undermine national policies already in place which operate within the 2020 climate and energy framework; calls on the Commission to review the EU energy- efficiency legislation by no sooner than 2018;
Amendment 832 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Calls on Member States to reinforce regulatory and public financial support to accelerate the renovation rate of buildings and the improvement of district heating systems;
Amendment 833 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33b. Calls on the Commission to pursue a balanced approach on Eco-design measures which in the past have contributed to a growing public scepticism towards regulation at European level; they should be based on their energy saving potential and on market relevance and must not interfere with citizens' behavioural habits; supports clear energy labelling to give consumers a choice;
Amendment 843 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Acknowledges that local authorities of European cities undoubtedly make an important contribution to energy independence by increasing energy- efficiency through renovating buildings, cogeneration, modernising and expanding district heating and cooling systems, increasing the use of cleaner public transport, and encouraging more active travel models and renovating buildings;
Amendment 862 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Amendment 887 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Endorses the Commission's ambition to make the EU a world leader in renewable energy technologies and actively promoting an increased use of RES at Member State level even beyond the EU objectives, as RES are among the most effective ways to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, to address our import dependence and contribute to a low carbon economy while taking into account that RES can contribute to the creation of jobs and new business opportunities. Calls on the Commission to work towards European RES support schemes criteria, and calls on Member States to adjust their subsidy schemes according to these European criteria to maximize the intra-EU trade in renewable electricity, to allow the use of these resources across the EU where they are most effective, and with a view to achieving a harmonised EU support system in the long run. Reminds that subsidies for mature RES technologies should be gradually phased out.
Amendment 912 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Stresses, however, that the EU must employ a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising our energy systems, adopting strategies for using and promoting not only renewable energy sources but also other low-emission sources of energy; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to revise its Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines in a way which will provide for an equitable treatment of energy production from different energy sourcescarbon sources of energy;
Amendment 934 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Stresses that decarbonisation which is not pursued through a technology-neutral approach could result in a drastic increase in energy costs in some Member States, which would lead to energy poverty, deindustrialisation of the European economy and a subsequent rise in unemployment; stresses that ithe EU therefore needs to be a sovereign decision of each Member State on how to decarbonise its economrequires harmonized EU-wide and at the same time market based and technology neutral policies, which deliver on objectives at the lowest cost to society;
Amendment 937 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Calls on the European Commission to safeguard the competitiveness of the energy intensive industries by taking into account both direct and indirect carbon costs and changing production levels thus ensuring long term planning security for industrial investments.
Amendment 959 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Recognises that indigenous energy sources such as, nuclear, clean coal technologies and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS) would make a fundamental contribution to EU energy security and decarbonisation, with shale gas and other gases such as coal bed methane facilitating the transition to a low- emissicarbon economy; believes, in this respect, that the Energy Union must reflect the need for the EU to use all low and lower emission sources at Member States' disposal;
Amendment 974 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Recognises that on the way to a low- carbon economy, the EU will continue to rely on the competitive and secure supply of hydrocarbons, including natural gas, which in particular, also plays a supportive role in balancing the increasing intermittent renewable technologies.
Amendment 995 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to, in cooperation with the beneficiary member states, put forward proposals for establishing a Modernisation Fund, which should have strict criteria and guidance to ensure that funding is targeted at genuintakes into account the particular needs and circumstances of the benergy modernisation projectsficiary member state, which would be selected based on a technology-neutral approach and on whether they are demonstrably consistent with attainment of the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas objectivesensure that these proposals are in line with the 2030 climate and energy framework;
Amendment 1025 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to undertake common efforts in order to bring down wholesale and retail gas and energy prices by 20 % by 2020energy prices;
Amendment 1052 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Research and Development, Innovation and Competitiveness
Amendment 1059 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls on the Commission to intensify its research efforts regarding the better use of Europe's indigenous resources, both conventional and unconventional, to further develop the new generation of flexible renewable energy technologies, such as geothermal, biomass, solar- thermal electricity, and ocean energy technologies, as well as to improve the flexibility of their electricity production, in particular through the Horizon 2020 programme;
Amendment 1083 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Stresses that the EU must collectively step up its efforts as regards efficient, low- emissicarbon technologies in order to meet its 2030 objectives and improve its energy security and facilitate economic recovery;
Amendment 1091 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Believes that greater effort in developing innovative low-emissicarbon technologies and solutions can bring significant long-term benefits in terms of reduced generation costs and reduced energy demand;
Amendment 1127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Calls on the Commission to provide an explicit mapping of the different funding and financing instruments, such as the InvestEU programme, Connecting Europe (PCIs), R&D funds, structural funds, smart grid financing instruments (ERA-Net Plus), the Horizon 2020 programme (H2020), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR), the Connecting Europe Facility - Energy (CEF-E), NER 300 and Eurogia+, and to clarify the eligibility rules for each of these programmes, while taking into account the technology neutral approach; calls on the Commission to aim to provide more balanced support and spending throughout the EU to avoid creating a technological rift between regions;
Amendment 1162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
Paragraph 50
50. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the Commission and the Contracting Parties of the Energy Community.