3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/1

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Belgium covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/01)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, each Member State is required to submit to the Commission a draft of its integrated national energy and climate plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030 in accordance with Article 3(1) and Annex I of that Regulation. The first drafts of integrated national energy and climate plans had to be submitted by 31 December 2018.

(2)

Belgium submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

(5)

In developing its recommendations, the Commission considered, on the one hand, the need to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its national plan.

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

With regard to energy efficiency, the Commission's recommendations are based on the assessment of the national level of ambition put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, compared to the collective level of efforts needed to reach the Union's targets, taking into account the information provided on specific national circumstances, where relevant. The final national contributions in the area of energy efficiency should reflect the cost-effective potential for energy savings and be supported with a robust long-term building renovation strategy and measures to implement the energy savings obligation stemming from Article 7 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Member States should also demonstrate that they have properly taken into account the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining notably how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty.

(8)

The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Belgium (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Belgium (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

In addition, the Governance Regulation requires each Member State to take due account of any recommendations from the Commission to its draft integrated national energy and climate plan to be submitted by 31 December 2019 and, if the Member State concerned does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State should provide and make public its reasons.

(11)

Where applicable, Member States should report the same data in their integrated national energy and climate plans and updates in later years as they report to Eurostat or the European Environment Agency. The use of the same source and, where available, of European statistics, is also essential to calculate the baseline for modelling and projections. Using European statistics will allow for a better comparability of the data and the projections used in the integrated national energy and climate plans.

(12)

All elements of Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 are to be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. In this context, the macroeconomic and, to the extent feasible, the health, environmental, employment and education, skills and social impacts of the planned policies and measures should be assessed. The public and other stakeholders are to be engaged in the preparation of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. These and other elements are described in detail in the accompanying staff working document (6).

(13)

Belgium notified a draft national energy and climate plan accompanied by a draft federal plan, four draft regional plans and a number of additional annexes. While supplementary documents can be annexed, the final NECP needs to contain all elements required by the regulation, including all information to assess the proposed ambition levels and the adequacy of the plan in achieving them, notably through a comprehensive overview of policies and measures and an accompanying impact assessment. Substantial effort and political willingness are needed to achieve a better integrated national energy and climate plan, which would in turn constitute a more useful tool to facilitate cooperation between the different responsible authorities in achieving the energy transition. Specific attention is needed to managing interlinkages between the decarbonisation and energy efficiency dimensions and the other dimensions, notably by presenting more concrete and quantifiable objectives related to energy security, internal market and research, innovation and competitiveness supporting the achievement of the decarbonisation, renewables and energy efficiency ambitions, and by explaining better how the energy efficiency first principle was taken into account.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive overview on competitiveness, not only of the energy-intensive industries, but also the low-carbon technology sector, providing a concrete analysis on the position in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges, and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It would also benefit from a further integration of circular economy policies, emphasising their benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Belgium are underpinned by the assessment of Belgium's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS BELGIUM TAKES ACTION TO:

Complement the information on the policies and measures needed to achieve the greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of - 35 % in 2030 compared to 2005, including in the building and transport sectors where most reductions will have to happen, by providing further details on their scope, timing, and the expected impacts. Specify the intended use of the flexibilities between the effort sharing, accounted land use, land use change and forestry and the emissions trading system sectors.

Significantly raise the level of ambition for 2030 to at least 25 % as Belgium's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Indicate detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Furthermore, ensure that Belgium's renewable energy target for 2020 set in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards, and explain how Belgium intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Step up efforts in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and intensify efforts to increase and diversify renewables in the transport sector. Provide additional detail on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including simplification of administrative procedures.

Increase the energy efficiency ambition by reducing final energy consumption, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Support this with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Underpin proposed policies and measures by an impact assessment and a more detailed set of information on the scale and implementation timeline in the period 2021-2030.

Identify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility. Take into account the regional context and the actual potential of the interconnectors and of the generation capacities in the neighbouring countries when assessing resource adequacy in the electricity sector.

Further clarify national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already excellent regional cooperation within the Pentalateral Energy Forum based notably on the political declaration of 4 March 2019 to specifically include the development and monitoring of the integrated national energy and climate plans in particular as regards relevant issues for cross-border cooperation.

Improve the quantification of the mainly qualitative information on investment needs and complement it with a comprehensive assessment of overall investment needs to achieve the objectives. Provide a general assessment of the sources of investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, including from a quantitative perspective.

10.

Better integrate just and fair transition aspects, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures, including in carbon-intensive and industrial regions. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing additional details on existing and potential measures, the energy-poverty plans and their expected impact, while at the same time completing the analysis as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 211.

(3) Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).

(4) SWD (2019) 1000 final.

(5) COM (2019) 501 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 211.

(7) SWD(2019) 211.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

(9) Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 16).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/5

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Bulgaria covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/02)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Bulgaria submitted its draft national energy and climate plan on 15 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Bulgarian draft national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on this assessment. In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

(4)

(5)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(6)

(7)

(8)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Bulgaria (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Bulgaria (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

The integrated energy and climate plans provide the opportunity to coherently define long-term policies and measures, taking into account resulting interlinkages between dimensions in terms of potential synergies or risks. While the policies and measures described in the draft plan seem to consider some interlinkages, their assessment across the five dimensions should be further reinforced in the final plan. The analysis could include quantitative estimates and should also cover possible negative interactions between policies and measures and show how Bulgaria intends to address them. In particular, the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and the internal market dimensions and the energy efficiency first principle warrants further assessment. Similarly, the role of energy efficiency in addressing energy poverty should be further looked at. An important element to be further assessed in the final plan, including from the costs and competitiveness angles, is the interaction between the planned continuation of coal based power generation and enhanced use of gas with the decarbonisation dimension. Another element is the impact of biomass use on the accounted removals in the land use and forestry sector. The link between electricity production and the deployment of low-carbon technologies should be further addressed under the research innovation and competitiveness dimension.

(13)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector, including for decarbonising energy- and carbon-intensive industrial sectors, is currently positioned in the global market. The plan would benefit from highlighting areas of competitive advantage and potential challenges, and defining objectives, policies and measures based on them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. Interactions with the circular economy and its relevance for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, in particular, could be further emphasised.

(14)	The Commission's recommendations to Bulgaria are underpinned by the assessment of Bulgaria's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS BULGARIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Raise the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 27 % as Bulgaria's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) and enabling a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put forward policies and measures to meet the transport target set out in Bulgaria's draft integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details and measures on the enabling framework for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including simplification of administrative procedures.

Increase its ambition towards reducing both primary and final energy consumption in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and support it with adequate policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Underpin proposed policies and measures by an impact assessment and more detailed information on the quantification of impacts, in terms of expected energy savings, and implementation timeline. Further elaborate on how the effectiveness of its energy savings obligation scheme is to be improved so that it could deliver the expected results.

Specify a robust gas diversification strategy including relevant underlying infrastructure projects and their respective contributions. Detail the strategy for the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel, in particular in the perspective of the foreseen enlargement of its nuclear generation capacity.

Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular on measures to develop competitive wholesale and retail markets, both by fostering competition within the country, including by progressing towards fully market based prices, and by eliminating barriers to cross-border trade.

Intensify regional cooperation with neighbouring Member States and within established regional cooperation frameworks such as the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High Level Group, including in the renewables, energy efficiency and research, innovation and competitiveness dimension and taking into account common challenges and shared objectives. There is significant potential to further cooperate with a view to upcoming developments in the electricity sector, including the need to accommodate higher shares of renewables and clean transport which could impact electricity interconnections and trading in the region.

Provide a general overview on the investment needed to modernise the economy by reaching its energy and climate objectives. Provide a general assessment of the sources of investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures and particularly taking into account the impacts of the transition for coal and carbon-intensive industries. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying the assessment as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 225.

(4) SWD(2019) 1001 final/2.

(5) COM(2019) 502 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 225.

(7) SWD(2019) 225.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

(9) Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/9

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Czechia covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/03)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Czechia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, the Commission is required to assess the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission made a comprehensive assessment of the Czech draft national energy and climate plan, taking into consideration the relevant elements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This assessment (2) is published alongside the present recommendation. The below recommendations are based on this assessment. In particular, the Commission's recommendations may address (i) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions with a view to collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and, in particular, the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the level of electricity interconnectivity that the Member State aims for in 2030; (ii) policies and measures relating to Member State- and Union-level objectives and other policies and measures of potential cross-border relevance; (iii) any additional policies and measures that might be required in the integrated national energy and climate plans; (iv) interactions between and consistency of existing and planned policies and measures included in the integrated national energy and climate plan within one dimension and among different dimensions of the Energy Union.

(4)

(5)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(6)

(7)

(8)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Czechia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Czechia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

The interlinkages between the Energy Union dimensions are visible in the draft plan, but not explicitly mentioned. In the final plan, Czechia should expand on the mentioned interlinkages between the different Energy Union dimensions by identifying synergies within the decarbonisation dimension, e.g. biofuels and land use, land use change and forestry. Synergies between decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions also in relation with the energy efficiency first principle should also be further explored, by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals security of energy supply and to address energy poverty, including clear timeframes. An important element for further consideration in the final plan is the planning of a just transition in relation to coal and carbon-intensive regions. The impact of climate change risks on energy supply is another relevant consideration. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(13)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

(14)	The Commission's recommendations to Czechia are underpinned by the assessment of the Czechia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS CZECHIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 23 % as Czechia's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put forward measures to meet the transport target set in Czechia's plan in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Include measures to reduce administrative burden and related to the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Increase its ambition towards reducing primary energy consumption in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Better identify the policies and measures which are planned to be adopted in the period 2021-2030, also based on the assessment of their expected impacts.

Include projections for the future energy mix, including renewable sources of gas, and planned measures in the area of resilience of the energy system, demand side measures, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Provide more detailed policies and measures aiming at increase of the diversification natural gas supply from third countries. In addition, specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel, particularly in view of the development of the nuclear generation capacity.

4.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular well defined new and planned measures. Set out the potential of renewable gases. Include in the final plan an overall assessment of existing and future measures related to the development of competition.

Further clarify their national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Continue the already excellent approach to regional cooperation in the framework of the Visegrad Group involving Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, as well as bilateral dialogues with other member States. Such cooperation could include topics such as further integration in the internal energy market, measures related to assessing system adequacy in light of the planned continuation of a capacity market, just transition, decarbonisation and further renewables deployment, including resulting impacts on the energy system and cross-border electricity trade.

Extend its analysis of investment needs and sources, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level, which is currently provided for specific policies, to a general overview of investment needs to reach its energy and climate objectives. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. The final integrated national energy and climate plan should particularly analyse the impact of the energy transition of the populations affected by the coal phase out or by adjustments in other energy-intensive sectors, and make a link to the Czech strategic framework, ReStart, promoting the just transition of the Czech coal regions. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying the assessment as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 214.

(4) SWD (2019) 1002 final.

(5) COM (2019) 503 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 214.

(7) SWD(2019) 214.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/13

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Denmark covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/04)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 288 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Denmark submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Denmark (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Denmark (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan, Denmark should take into account the synergies between the five dimensions of the Energy Union and the energy efficiency first principle, including by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty. Additional information on specific objectives with regards to demand response, aggregation, system flexibility, smart grids, storage, distributed generation, consumer protection and competitiveness in the retail energy sector are also important elements to be addressed in the final plan in view of ensuring a managed implementation of the objective of 100 % renewable electricity by 2030. It is important that the complete final plan includes a detailed description of all energy subsidies as well as of the national policies, measures and timelines to phase them out, particularly for fossil fuels. Information on how climate change risks might affect energy supply would also improve the plan. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting an even more comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector, including for decarbonising energy and carbon-intensive industrial sectors, is currently positioned in the global market. Building on the export strategy of energy technologies, measurable objectives for the future could be included in the final plan, together with policies and measures to achieve them. The final integrated national energy and climate plan could also emphasise the greenhouse gas emissions savings stemming from ambitious actions related to the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Denmark are underpinned by the assessment of Denmark's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS DENMARK TAKES ACTION TO:

Clarify how it intends to reach its 2030 greenhouse gas target for emissions not covered by the EU emissions trading system of - 39 % compared to 2005, including putting into place further cost-efficient policies in the building sector and further defining its planned transport policies, and specifying its intended use of the flexibilities between the effort sharing, land use, land use change and forestry and emissions trading system sectors.

Underpin the welcomed level of ambition of a 55 % renewable energy share for 2030 as Denmark's contribution to the Union 2030 target for renewable energy with detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Clarify among others, the level of the indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Furthermore, put forward trajectories and corresponding measures in the transport sector to meet the transport target pursuant to Article 25 of the Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the specific measures to ensure sustainability for biomass supply and use in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass across the Danish energy mix.

Substantially increase its ambition towards reducing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would compensate for the likely effects of substantially lowered funding levels for energy efficiency and for the agreed energy tax decreases, and that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Include new measures designed to, and capable of delivering the energy savings required under Article 7 of Directive 2012/27/EU. This is particularly important in the light of Denmark's decision to discontinue its existing energy efficiency obligation scheme which would lower the funding available for final energy savings actions. Provide more clarity on the actual measures capable of delivering on the ambitions as regards cleaner and more efficient transport and vehicles.

4.	Define clear, measureable and forward-looking objectives concerning market integration.

Further elaborate on the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Expand the already good regional cooperation arrangements, in particular with the other Nordic (Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) and Baltic (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) countries to other cooperation mechanisms. Possible areas for enhanced cooperation in renewable energy include planned statistical transfers or hybrid renewable projects, where offshore wind electricity is connected to more than one market. In research and innovation these include alignment of research programmes, coordinated funding, and identification of synergies with other Member States and with Union's programmes and initiatives.

7.	Extend the provided analysis of investment needs by estimating public and private investment needs of the planned policies to achieve the climate and energy objectives up to 2030 and indicating the likely sources to finance them.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the welcome integration of climate mitigation and air pollution policies with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

10.	Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 275.

(4) SWD (2019) 1003 final.

(5) COM (2019) 504 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 275.

(7) SWD(2019) 275.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/17

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Germany covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/05)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Germany submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 20 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Germany (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Germany (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

Considering the overall good set-up of national targets in energy and climate policy outlined in the draft plan, the final plan could specify the main interactions between these targets both in terms of national ambition levels and in terms of provisional, planned, additional and existing policy instruments. Elaborating further on sector coupling and on the related incentive structure across different sectors of the economy would allow addressing the consistency of policies and measures within and between Energy Union dimensions more comprehensively. In that context, consideration could be given to identifying investment needs in all Energy Union dimensions, preventing sudden impacts of shifting prices by ensuring a gradual phase out of energy subsidies with long term visibility and to measures mitigating the impact on vulnerable consumers through energy poverty measures. A comprehensive impact assessment could help addressing policy interactions, e.g. by quantifying the impact on accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry of a sustainable supply of biomass for energy purposes, including risks for energy security due to climate change. A quantitative overview in the final plan of the development of different sources of flexibility required to integrate the rising share of renewable energy in the electricity system could help to address additional interactions between Energy Union dimensions. Information on how the energy efficiency first principle is taken into account in national policies and measures across various Energy Union dimensions could be included more comprehensively.

(14)

An additional element deserving increased attention is industry competitiveness and the areas of Germany's competitive strengths and potential challenges in its energy transition. Measurable objectives for the future would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise, industrial and education policy. The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Germany are underpinned by the assessment of Germany's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS GERMANY TAKES ACTION TO:

1.	Specify cost-efficient additional policies and measures, notably in the building, transport and agriculture sectors, to address the significant projected gap to its greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system for 2030 of -38 % compared to 2005.

Provide detailed and quantified policies and measures; in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of the German contribution of 30 % renewable energy share to the Union's renewable energy target for 2030. Put forward trajectories and provide specific measures to meet the transport target pursuant to Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including simplification of administrative procedures.

Provide a sufficiently ambitious national contribution for both primary and final energy consumption, which takes into account the need to increase, collectively, the level of efforts necessary to reach the Union's 2030 target, and to support the national contribution with policies and measures at a scale adequate to deliver the corresponding energy savings. Clearly identify policies which are planned to be adopted and implemented in the period from 2021 to 2030, their expected impacts as well as their timeline for implementation and budgetary requirements.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, as well as information on phase-out from nuclear.

Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to reinforce market signals and to improve the effective impact of market components in the electricity price. Include a timetable with appropriate measures to remove structural congestion in the electricity system and to provide efficient dispatch and locational signals to the market as an important element of the final integrated national energy and climate plan, notably as a basis for further cooperation and coordination with other Member States and in view of the functioning of the internal energy market.

Further clarify national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2022 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Continue, both in the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plan and during its implementation, regional cooperation in respective high-level groups and consultation of neighbouring Member States. In that context, focus on the coal and lignite phase-out, renewables deployment and the internal energy market, addressing issues such as interconnection levels and capacity from 2021 onwards, regional cooperation measures related to assessing system adequacy, just transition and energy system changes required for accommodating higher shares of renewables that are expected to modify cross-border electricity trade while enhancing the need for system flexibility.

Extend its analysis of investment needs provided for electricity transmission infrastructure to a general overview of investment needs to reach its energy and climate objectives. Provide a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level.

9.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

10.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

11.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects, notably by providing more details on socioeconomic impacts of the energy transition and the planned coal phase out or of adjustments in other carbon-intensive sectors. Describe the associated social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing a dedicated assessment of energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 229.

(4) SWD(2019) 1004 final.

(5) COM(2019) 505 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 229.

(7) SWD(2019) 229.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/21

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Estonia covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/06)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Estonia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 28 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Estonia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Estonia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan Estonia should take into account interlinkages between the planned policies and measures, notably, by considering the implications of the energy efficiency first principle on the decarbonisation, energy security and internal energy market dimensions. The contribution of energy efficiency to reducing energy import dependency and offsetting the impact of the reduction of electricity generation from oil shale are important elements in this regard, also with a view to integrating increasing shares of renewables and ensuring future electricity system generation adequacy. The impact of climate change risks on energy supply is another relevant consideration. Estonia should pay particular attention to specifying the implementation status and impacts of policies and measures, as well as providing greenhouse gas projections split by policy sector (emission trading system, effort sharing sectors and land use, land use and forestry). Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Estonia are underpinned by the assessment of Estonia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS ESTONIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Clarify how it plans to reach its greenhouse gas target for emissions not covered by the EU emissions trading system of -13 % below 2005, including the role of the land use, land use change and forestry sector. This requires notably to analyse further the combined impact of the planned policies and applying the accounting rules under Regulation (EU) 2018/841.

Underpin the welcomed level of ambition of a 42 % renewable energy share for 2030 as Estonia's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations requested in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Provide additional details on measures to meet the indicative target in the heating and cooling sector pursuant to Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and ensure that adequate measures are in place for the increase of renewables to meet the transport target set out in the draft plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the specific measures planned to ensure the long-term sustainability of the use of biomass in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass across the Estonian energy mix. Provide measures on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 including simplification of administrative procedures.

Increase the level of ambition towards decreasing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts necessary to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. In the final plan include all the policies and measures planned to achieve the cumulative savings goal with a realistic schedule of implementation and a clear assessment of their investment needs.

4.	Specify measures to ensure the electricity generation adequacy in light of the ambitious renewables target, including measures on demand response and storage.

5.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive retail markets and to increase the level of consumer engagement in the retail market.

Further clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate Plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already good regional cooperation arrangements between Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania); extend them to new areas and broaden the geographic reach to include the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in view to the changes in the electricity systems accommodating higher shares of renewable electricity, which will increase electricity import/export and enhance the need for system flexibility, as well as on the decarbonisation of the transport sector and research.

8.	Provide a general overview on the investment needed to modernise its economy by reaching its energy and climate objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level.

9.	List actions undertaken and plans to phase-out energy subsidies, in particular for fossil fuels.

10.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning air pollutant projections, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

11.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by highlighting the use of energy efficiency measures to alleviate energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019:.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 277.

(4) SWD (2019) 1005 final.

(5) COM (2019) 506 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 277.

(7) SWD(2019) 277.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/25

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Ireland covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/07)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Ireland submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Ireland (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Ireland (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan, Ireland should build on the draft plan's considerations of policy interactions by elaborating on the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal energy market dimensions. One such issue is the impact of the planned coal phase-out and increasing levels of renewable energy on energy security and electricity system generation adequacy. Another issue to elaborate is the compatibility of the planned increase in biomass use with the plan to increase removals from land use, land use change and forestry. The consideration of the energy efficiency first principle in setting criteria for renewables support eligibility and in proposing policies in the energy security and internal energy market dimensions is another important element to be addressed in the final plan. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from consideration of the role of circular economy, referring to national strategies and action plans and raising their benefits and potential trade-offs in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Ireland are underpinned by the assessment of Ireland's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS IRELAND TAKES ACTION TO:

1.	Put forward additional measures, notably in the building and transport sectors, to cost-effectively reduce the significant projected gap to its 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of -30 % compared to 2005.

Put forward, as Ireland's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, a share of renewable energy of at least 31 % as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards, and explain how it intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Put forward trajectories and corresponding measures in the heating and cooling sector and the transport sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Put in place measures to overcome administrative burden and detailed information on measures on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase its energy efficiency ambition by lowering the level of both final and primary energy consumption in absolute terms in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Support this with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Express the final contribution as a specific value for both primary and final energy consumption. Detail the underlying methodology to estimate energy savings. An indication of required investments to implement energy efficiency policies is also needed.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency in particular in the gas and oil sector in light of uncertainties related to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Further elaborate on the national objectives and funding targets research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the its integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Build on the framework of the North Seas Energy Cooperation and the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative in order to deliver on the renewables target and ensure timely implementation of ongoing interconnection projects. In light of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, provide for measures to ensure continued regional cooperation with the UK on emergency preparedness and response for electricity, and security of supply for gas and oil.

7.	List actions undertaken and plans to phase-out energy subsidies, in particular for fossil fuels.

8.	Present the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned policies and measures. The final plan should particularly address the impact of the transition on the populations living in carbon-intensive regions. Complement the approach to addressing energy poverty issues with indicative objectives for reducing energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 230.

(4) SWD (2019) 1006 final.

(5) COM (2019) 507 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 230.

(7) SWD(2019) 230.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/29

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Greece covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/08)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Greece submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 25 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Greece (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Greece (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan Greece should build on the positive interlinkages between planned policies and measures pointed out in the draft plan, and further explore the more challenging policy interlinkages. One such interlinkage is the synergies within the decarbonisation dimension, e.g. the impact accounted emissions and removals in the land use, land use change and forestry sector of planned bioenergy policies. Another interlinkage is the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle, e.g. by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy and security of energy supply. Energy efficiency could also be considered with regards to the alleviation of energy poverty. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from also covering the low-carbon technologies sector, including measures for decarbonising energy- and carbon-intensive industrial sectors and a more comprehensive analysis on where this sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges. It could also benefit from further elaboration on the greenhouse gas emissions savings stemming from actions related to the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Greece are underpinned by the assessment of Greece's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS GREECE TAKES ACTION TO:

Enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of Greece's 31 % contribution to the EU 2030 target for renewable energy, by including in the final plan, among others, an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, and provide detailed and quantified policies and measures complying with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Reconcile the objectives put forward in the draft plan for the share of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector with the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport sector in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase its ambition towards reducing both final and primary energy consumption in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target and support these with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Clarify the timeline for the adoption and implementation of the policies foreseen to be in place as of 2020, especially for the new instruments. The measures foreseen to achieve the cumulative savings goal should be designed at an adequate scale.

Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, in particular regarding natural gas. Include an assessment of how the infrastructure projects and regional cooperation contribute to the energy security objectives, also making use of regional cooperation and flexibilities to use the opportunities presented by reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the modernisation of the Greek economy.

Include forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to increase competition in the retail and wholesale markets, in line with its commitment under the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) programme of reducing, by 2020, the incumbent's retail and wholesale market shares below 50 %. Implement the electricity target model and market coupling with neighbours, based on the timelines agreed under the post-programme surveillance mechanism.

Further quantify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already good regional cooperation arrangements with Bulgaria and Cyprus as well as with the Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) countries. In the context of the ‘Clean Energy for EU Islands’ initiative, enhance cooperation with Member States and island regions facing similar geographic, climatic and infrastructure related challenges and opportunities in their energy transition. Explore the cross-border potential and the macro-regional aspects of a coordinated energy and climate policy notably in the Adriatic-Ionian with the aim of reducing the region's carbon footprint and implementing an ecosystem approach. The focus of the regional exchanges could be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in view to the changes in the electricity systems accommodating higher shares of renewable electricity, which will increase electricity import and export and enhance the need for system flexibility. In addition, make use of bilateral cooperation and flexibilities to use the opportunities presented by reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the modernisation of the Greek economy.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment, skills and training impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Provide more detailed information on the projects to support a just and fair transition, specifying the form of support and the impact of the initiatives, also making the link to the transition of coal, carbon-intensive or industrial regions. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 261.

(4) SWD(2019) 1007 final.

(5) COM(2019) 508 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 261.

(7) SWD(2019) 261.

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/33

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Spain covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/09)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Spain submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 22 February 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Spain (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Spain (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

There is a broad coherence of the objectives within and between the dimensions, in particular on decarbonisation and energy efficiency. In the final plan, Spain should also describe the interlinkages between planned policies and measures and further quantify these where possible. A focus could be the synergies between the decarbonisation, the energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and its link to addressing energy poverty. The interactions of the planned policies related to the phase out of coal-fired power plants and nuclear power plants, including the strategy for the use of nuclear fuel cycle facilities existing in the country, the impact of climate change risks on energy supply, and the impact of the increased penetration of renewable energy on the internal market are also important elements to be addressed in the final plan. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Spain are underpinned by the assessment of Spain's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS SPAIN TAKES ACTION TO:

Underpin the welcome level of ambition of a 42 % renewable energy share for 2030 as Spain's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations requested in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) and enabling a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Provide further details on measures to reduce administrative burden and on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Explore further on how the current measures would need to be further developed to realise their ambition towards achieving the expected energy savings. Such measures will have to deliver a multiplication of energy savings compared to current achievements and the challenges of such significant upscaling would need to be properly taken into account.

3.	Further develop measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, as well as information on phase-out from nuclear.

Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to address the foreseeable evolution of the tariff deficits in the electricity and gas sectors and potential impact from the measures envisaged. Outline a strategy and timeline for progressing towards fully market based prices.

Further clarify national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and final plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the existing good regional cooperation with France and Portugal to address notably internal energy market and energy security areas, in particular cross-border and cross regional interconnections. Consider strengthening measures related to regional cooperation in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. More specifically, the plan should address the impacts on the coal and carbon-intensive regions, and integrate the national strategy for the energy transition. Include a dedicated assessment of energy poverty issues, along with any related objectives or specific policies or measures as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 262.

(4) SWD (2019) 1008 final.

(5) COM (2019) 509 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 262.

(7) SWD(2019) 262.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/36

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of France covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/10)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

France submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 15 February 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for France (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to France (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan France should take into account the interactions between dimensions. As an example, measures to improve energy efficiency or increase the deployment of electric vehicles will reinforce security of supply by reducing the needs for imports of oil and gas. The draft integrated national energy and climate plan acknowledges that energy efficiency is the first principle guiding the efforts towards the energy transition. Some negative interactions between policies and measures in one dimension and objectives in another dimension are included. A thorough analysis of peak load developments in the period from 2021 to 2030 is required, as well as a precise assessment of energy security and interconnection, and to set objectives accordingly. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. The final plan could include more information on how climate change risks might affect energy supply.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to France are underpinned by the assessment of France's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS FRANCE TAKES ACTION TO:

Increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 33 % as France's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards and explain how it intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Reconcile the objectives put forward in its draft integrated national energy and climate plan for the share of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector and in the transport sector with the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, respectively.

Review the efforts on reducing primary energy consumption to contribute to reaching the collective Union's 2030 energy efficient target. France's contribution is of sufficient ambition for final energy consumption. Include details on the expected impacts of the planned policies and measures in the final integrated national energy and climate plan, to make sure that their scale of implementation would be sufficient to deliver the necessary reductions of energy consumption.

3.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, as well as information on planned nuclear generation capacity.

4.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive wholesale markets, including progressing towards fully market based prices.

Further quantify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the final integrated national energy and climate. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the existing good regional cooperation with Spain, Portugal and the Pentalateral countries (10). The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas. Continue the cooperation with Portugal and Spain, in particular on cross-border and cross regional energy interconnections. Consider strengthening measures related to regional cooperation in the area of renewable energy. Consider also intensifying regional cooperation arrangements to new areas such as regional generation capacity assessment and research and innovation on technologies of common interest with other Member States.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing an assessment of the number and type of households in energy poverty to allow assessing the possible need for an indicative objective for reducing energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 263.

(4) SWD (2019) 1009 final.

(5) COM (2019) 510 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 263.

(7) SWD(2019) 263.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

(10) Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/40

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Croatia covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/11)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Croatia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 28 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

In developing its recommendations, the Commission had regard, on the one hand, to the need for the Commission to add up certain quantified planned contributions of all Member States in order to assess the ambition at Union level, and, on the other hand, the need to provide adequate time for the Member State concerned to take due consideration of the Commission's recommendations before finalising its national plan, as well as the need to avoid the risk of delay of the Member State's national plan.

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Croatia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Croatia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan the coherence between the different dimensions should be taken into account. For example, Croatia's plans to strengthen energy security by exploring the possibility to increase the production of domestic hydrocarbon resources should be considered against the attainment of objectives related to the decarbonisation dimension and the energy efficiency first principle. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. Other examples are the impact of increased bioenergy use on the accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry and of climate change risks on energy security.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from expanding on competitiveness aspects, to cover specifically the low-carbon technologies sector, including for decarbonising energy and carbon-intensive industrial sectors. Measurable objectives for the future defined on that basis would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It would also benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Croatia are underpinned by the assessment of Croatia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS CROATIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Underpin the welcome level of ambition of a 36,4 % renewable energy share for 2030 as Croatia's contribution to the Union 2030 target for renewable energy with detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and increase the level of ambition to meet the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details and measures on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Increase its ambition towards reducing both final and primary energy consumption in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Support this with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Underpin proposed policies and measures by an impact assessment estimating the expected savings and provide a realistic timeframe of implementation of the measures provided for.

Define forward-looking objectives and measurable targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop liquid and competitive wholesale and retail markets, by fostering competition within the country and progressing towards fully market based prices and by eliminating barriers to cross-border trade.

Further elaborate national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Continue regional cooperation efforts on the national energy and climate plan in the context of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group. These could address notably issues such as further integration in the internal energy market, assessing system adequacy, just transition, decarbonisation and renewables deployment. Explore the cross-border potential and the macro-regional aspects of a coordinated energy and climate policy notably in the Adriatic with the aim of reducing the region's carbon footprint and implementing an ecosystem approach.

Extend its analysis of investment costs and sources, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level, which is currently provided for some transport and energy efficiency measures, to a general overview of investment needs to modernise its economy by reaching its energy and climate objectives. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing an assessment of the number and type of households in energy poverty to allow assessing the need for an indicative objective for reducing energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 224.

(4) SWD (2019) 1010 final.

(5) COM (2019) 511 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 224

(7) SWD(2019) 224.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/44

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Italy covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/12)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Italy submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 8 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

The Governance Regulation requires Member States to provide a general overview of the investment needed to achieve the objectives, targets and contributions set out in the integrated national energy and climate plan, as well as a general assessment on the sources of that investment. The integrated national energy and climate plans should ensure the transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure investment certainty.

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Italy (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Italy (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In its final integrated national energy and climate plan Italy should build on the positive interlinkages between planned policies and measures pointed out in its draft integrated national energy and climate plan, and further explore the more challenging policy interlinkages, notably between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions. More details are expected notably: (i) on the consequences of the phase out of coal-fired power plants and expected evolution of the role of gas in the energy mix; (ii) on how to achieve the high penetration of renewables; (iii) on the impacts of the Italian Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) in terms of prices for energy consumers; (iv) on expected evolution of fossil fuels subsidies. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from highlighting areas of competitive advantage and potential challenges at global level for the low-carbon technologies sector, including for decarbonising energy- and carbon-intensive industrial sectors. Measurable objectives for the future defined on that basis would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. The final integrated national energy and climate plan could also benefit from further elaboration on the greenhouse gas emissions savings stemming from actions related to the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Italy are underpinned by the assessment of Italy's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS ITALY TAKES ACTION TO:

Underpin the welcomed level of ambition of Italy's 30 % renewable energy share for 2030 as contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations requested in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition of renewables in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Put forward measures to meet the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Reduce the complexity and regulatory uncertainty and provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

As regards energy efficiency, ensure that the key policy instruments illustrated in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan would still deliver adequate savings in the period 2021-2030. Adequately reflect the envisaged updates and improvements to existing support schemes in the final integrated national energy and climate plan and in the following progress reports. Scale them up significantly to allow for the achievement of the indicated energy savings goals. Given the significant untapped potential, continue to work on strengthening energy efficiency measures for buildings (for new and existing public and private buildings) and in transport.

Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility. Take into account the regional context and the actual potential of the interconnectors and of the generation capacities in the neighbouring countries when assessing resource adequacy in the electricity sector. Clarify to what extent the development expected in the gas sector is compatible with the stated decarbonisation goals and the envisaged phase-out of coal-fired thermoelectric plants.

4.	Set clear objectives, milestones and timelines to deliver on the envisaged reforms in the energy markets, notably in the wholesale natural gas markets and in the operation of both the electricity and natural gas retail markets.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2021 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Carry out consultations with neighbouring Countries and within the Central and South-Eastern Europe Gas Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group in view of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Explore further the cross-border potential and the macro-regional aspects of a coordinated energy and climate policy, notably in the Adriatic with the aim of reducing the region's carbon footprint and implementing an ecosystem approach and further harness the potential of deeper Mediterranean cooperation.

7.	List actions undertaken and plans to phase-out energy subsidies, in particular for fossil fuels.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, including from a quantitative perspective.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment, skills, income distribution impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures, including for carbon-intensive and industrial regions. Complete the approach to addressing energy poverty issues by including specific measurable targets, and details on the financial resources for the implementation of the described policies as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 264.

(4) SWD (2019) 1011 final.

(5) COM (2019) 512 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 264.

(7) SWD(2019) 264.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/48

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Cyprus covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/13)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Cyprus submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 29 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Cyprus (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Cyprus (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

While the policies and measures described in the draft plan seem largely coherent across dimensions, Cyprus should further develop its assessment of interlinkages between policies and measures in the final plan. Cyprus should also provide more information on the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions as well as the energy efficiency first principle. The analysis could include quantitative estimates and should also cover possible negative interactions between policies and measures and how Cyprus intends to address those. An assessment of policy interactions and cross-cutting impacts could also be useful for single policies and measures or groups of policies and measures with a wide-ranging impact on Cyprus' energy system and beyond. This includes policies related to the full implementation of a competitive electricity market, the introduction of natural gas, or the interconnection of Cyprus' isolated electricity system. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)	The final integrated national energy and climate plan could be complemented with more comprehensive measures to tap into the potential of interactions with the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Cyprus are underpinned by the assessment of Cyprus's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS CYPRUS TAKES ACTION TO:

Clarify how it plans to reach its 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors outside the EU emissions trading system of - 24 % compared to 2005 by considering further cost-efficient policies over the period 2021-2030, and the intended use of flexibilities between the effort sharing and accounted land use, land use change and forestry sectors. Particular consideration could go to transport.

Significantly increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 23 % as Cyprus' contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and after due consideration of relevant circumstances and national constraints. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) and enabling a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector and the transport sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details and measures on the enabling frameworks for self-consumption and renewable energy communities in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase its ambition towards reducing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Complete projections and scenarios to allow assessing the expected impacts of the new planned policies, measures and programmes on primary and final energy consumption for each sector at least until 2040, including for the year 2030, and including an indicative trajectory from 2021 onwards. Strengthen the focus on energy efficiency in the transport sector by increasing the span of measures related to this specific sector, considering that it would represent half of the energy consumed in the country in 2030.

Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures for the gas sector, in view of the plans to achieve supply of natural gas in its territory in the near future. Present the state of play regarding the organisation of electricity markets clearly and consistently with targets and objectives described in the internal market dimension.

Further elaborate on national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify its existing regional cooperation arrangements with neighbouring Greece as well as other Member States, including in the internal market, energy security, and research, innovation and competitiveness dimension. Possibly in the context of the ‘Clean Energy for EU Islands’ initiative, enhance cooperation with Member States and island regions facing similar geographic, climatic and infrastructure related challenges and opportunities in their energy transition.

7.	Include a comprehensive section identifying all investment needs split by dimension and sub-dimension, along with a clear description of the methodology used for the estimation and the likely national, regional and Union sources for their financing.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by adding considerations of how the proposed policies and measures across dimensions are expected to impact the level of energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 223.

(4) SWD (2019) 1012 final.

(5) COM (2019) 513 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 223.

(7) SWD(2019) 223.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/52

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Latvia covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/14)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Latvia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 28 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Latvia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Latvia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final integrated national energy and climate plan Latvia should take into account the policy interlinkages, notably the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to 1) the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, 2) security of energy supply and 3) energy poverty. Another interlinkage to address is the use of biomass for energy purposes and the impact on accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. The impacts of climate change on the energy sector could also be addressed.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Latvia are underpinned by the assessment of Latvia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS LATVIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Develop further its strategy for achieving its 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of -6 % compared to 2005. This includes further defining the necessary steps for implementing the described policies and analysing the role of the land use, land use change and forestry sector based on the accounting rules under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8).

Significantly increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 50 % as Latvia's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) and enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set out in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards, and explain how it intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Put forward detailed measures to meet the indicative target in the heating and cooling sector included, in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide more details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities with measures, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Increase the level of ambition, especially towards reducing primary energy consumption, and support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings in order to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Provide more detailed description of the planned policies, in particular in buildings and transport sector as well as concrete estimates of energy savings of existing and planned policy measures by 2030 and timelines for accompanying investments.

Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, including an assessment of how proposed policies and measures ensure the achievement of the target to decrease energy dependency. Take into account the regional context when assessing the resource adequacy in the electricity sector.

5.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive wholesale and retail markets.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2020 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the good regional cooperation arrangements between Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania); extend them to new areas and broadening the geographic reach to include the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in view to the changes in the electricity systems accommodating higher shares of renewable electricity, which will increase electricity import/export and enhance the need for system flexibility, as well as the decarbonisation of the transport sector and regional cooperation in research.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Include an assessment of the situation regarding energy poverty, and targets for reducing and/or limiting energy poverty together with policies and measures as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 265.

(4) SWD(2019) 1013 final.

(5) COM(2019) 514 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 265.

(7) SWD(2019) 265.

(8) Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 1).

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

(10) Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 16).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/56

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Lithuania covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/15)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Lithuania submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 17 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Lithuania (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Lithuania (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

The final plan should build on and expand in the interactions between different policies and measures across the Energy Union dimensions, which are already presented for, energy efficiency, renewable energy and the sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system. The draft plan also acknowledges the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures to energy security, which should be further developed in the final plan. Similarly, the final plan needs to consider the role of the internal market dimension and the research, innovation and competitiveness dimensions in underpinning the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. The consideration of the synergies between LULUCF sector and the Effort Sharing Regulation as well as the impact on the LULUCF sector of increased use of biomass for energy are also important parts of the final plan.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Lithuania are underpinned by the assessment of Lithuania's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS LITHUANIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Develop further its strategy for achieving its 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of - 9 % compared to 2005. This includes specifying the role of the land use, land use change and forestry sector based on the accounting rules under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 and further defining the planned policies.

Underpin the welcomed level of ambition of Lithuania's 45 % renewable energy share for 2030 put forward in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan as contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Put forward measures to meet the transport target set in its draft integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on simplification of administrative procedures and on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase the level of its ambition towards reducing final and primary energy consumption in 2030, and to propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings in order to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Express its national energy efficiency contribution in terms of absolute level of primary and final energy consumption in 2030. Provide more information on energy efficiency policies and measures, by indicating which ones will be continued after 2020, what new policies will be introduced after 2020 and what impacts they will have. In particular, consider putting in place additional energy efficiency measures targeting the transport sector.

Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, and electricity generation adequacy in light of the ambitious renewables target, such as additional measures on demand response and storage. Take into account the regional context and the actual potential of the interconnectors and of the generation capacities in the neighbouring countries when assessing resource adequacy in the electricity sector.

5.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive wholesale and retail markets, including progressing towards fully market based prices.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2020 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already good regional cooperation arrangements between Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), extending them to new areas and broadening the geographic reach to include the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in view to the changes in the electricity systems accommodating higher shares of renewable electricity, which will increase electricity import/export and enhance the need for system flexibility, as well as the decarbonisation of the transport sector and regional cooperation in research.

8.	Extend its analysis of the investment needed to modernise its economy by reaching its energy and climate objectives, and provide further detail on the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level.

9.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

10.	Include an analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

11.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying objectives and intended impacts of planned policies and measures as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 228.

(4) SWD (2019) 1014 final.

(5) COM (2019) 515 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 228.

(7) SWD(2019) 228.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/60

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Luxembourg covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/16)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Luxembourg submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 18 February 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Luxembourg (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Luxembourg (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

There is a need for the final plan to provide a clear description of the additional policies and measures envisaged, accompanied by an impact assessment as well as an assessment of interactions between the different Energy Union dimensions, largely missing in the draft plan. The final plan would benefit from being more forward looking, taking into account the specific challenges from Luxembourg, notably due to its strong dependence on energy supply from neighbouring countries. It would also merit a specific attention to development of national flexibility measures, such as demand side response and storage.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from expanding information presented on recent and current measures and trends for macroeconomic competitiveness to cover specifically where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Luxembourg are underpinned by the assessment of Luxembourg's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS LUXEMBOURG TAKES ACTION TO:

Complement the information on planned policies and measures for the intended ambitious reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system and the achievement of the commitment under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) that land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions do not exceed removals. Provide further details on their scope, timeframe, likely impacts and any intended use of the flexibilities between the effort sharing and accounted LULUCF and emission trading sectors.

Underpin the welcomed level of ambition of Luxembourg's 23-25 % renewable energy share for 2030 as contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (9) in a way that enables a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards and explain how such a baseline share will be met and maintained. Put forward detailed measures to meet the transport target and electrification penetration described in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on simplification of administrative procedures and on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

3.	Define its contribution as a specific value for both primary and final energy consumption and clearly present the expect savings and a more detailed impact assessment of the proposed policies and measures.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2020 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already excellent regional cooperation within the Pentalateral Energy Forum based on the political declaration of 4 March 2019 to extend this regional cooperation to specifically include the development and monitoring of the national energy and climate plans in particular as regards relevant issues for cross-border cooperation. Consider specifically efforts to decarbonise transport from a regional perspective.

6.	Provide a comprehensive assessment of overall investment needs to achieve the objectives, as well as information on the financial sources to be mobilised for implementation of the existing and planned policies and measures.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures and reinforcing quantitative analyses.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying the assessment as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 266.

(4) SWD(2019) 1015 final.

(5) COM(2019) 516 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 266.

(7) SWD(2019) 266.

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/64

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Hungary covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/17)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Hungary submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Hungary (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Hungary (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

While some policy interactions are already reflected in the plan at the level of objectives, Hungary should further develop its assessment of interlinkages between policies and measures in the final plan and describe how it intends to address them. In particular, Hungary should further elaborate on the synergies between decarbonisation, the energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy. The interactions between renewables electricity generation and the promotion of electromobility and grid development are elements to be further developed in the final plan. Similarly, the link between the foreseen increase of biomass use in heating and cooling sector and accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry, as well as sustainability requirements should be further detailed in the final plan. Lastly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Hungary are underpinned by the assessment of Hungary's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS HUNGARY TAKES ACTION TO:

Increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 23 % as Hungary's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, and put forward measures to meet the transport target set in its plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the specific measures to ensure sustainability for biomass supply and use in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass across the Hungarian energy mix, especially in heating and cooling. Put in place measures to overcome administrative burden and measures on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase the ambition towards reducing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. In the final plan, make a clear distinction between the existing and additional policies and measures and provide a more comprehensive impact assessment of the planned initiatives and better estimate of the expected energy savings.

Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility, and the strategy to ensure the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel, in particular in the perspective of the enlargement of its nuclear generation capacity.

Further detail forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration and put forward adequate policies and measures to achieve them. In addition, allow network operators to recover all their justified and efficiently incurred costs and give network operators access to effective legal review of regulatory decisions. Outline the strategy and timeline for progressing towards fully market based prices.

Further quantify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the final integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Continue the consultation of neighbouring Member States and regional cooperation within the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High Level Group and in the context of the Visegrad Group involving Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The focus of regional exchanges could be on further integration in the internal energy market, decarbonisation and renewables deployment as well as research, innovation and competitiveness taking into account common challenges and shared objectives. This includes assessing system adequacy, just transition issues and energy system changes required for accommodating higher shares of renewables and other foreseen developments, which could impact electricity interconnections and trading in the region.

Improve and extend its analysis of investment needs, which is currently provided for building efficiency, renewables and electromobility, to a general overview of investment needs to modernise its economy by achieving its energy and climate objectives. Provide a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. More specifically, the impact on the populations in the carbon-intensive or industrial regions should be addressed. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing a dedicated assessment of energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 267.

(4) SWD(2019) 1016 final.

(5) COM(2019) 517 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 267.

(7) SWD(2019) 267.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/68

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Malta covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/18)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Malta submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 December 2018. The submission of this plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Malta (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Malta (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan Malta should build on the positive interlinkages between planned policies and measures pointed out in the draft plan, and explore the more challenging policy interlinkages, notably between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. Malta would also need to set more concrete, measureable and time-related policy objectives for all five dimensions.

(14)	The final integrated national energy and climate plan could be complemented with more comprehensive measures to tap into the potential of interactions with the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Malta are underpinned by the assessment of Malta's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS MALTA TAKES ACTION TO:

Plan additional domestic measures, in particular in the building and transport sectors, and quantify their expected impacts, in order to reduce the significant gap to its 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of - 19 % compared to 2005. For reasons of cost-effectiveness some transfers of annual emission allocation from other Member States, as provided for by Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (8), could be justified.

Significantly increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 21 % as Malta's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and after due consideration of relevant circumstances and national constraints. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive 2018/2001/EC of the European Parliament and Council (9), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide more detailed measures to meet the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide more details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase the ambition towards reducing final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Concrete additional energy efficiency measures particular for the building and transport are needed in order to meet to be proposed for the 2021-2030 period.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and possibly the increased role of demand response in the electricity sector.

Further improve the level of detail of the objectives and policies and measures of the final integrated national energy and climate plan notably to set clear, measureable and forward-looking objectives for the internal market dimension and research, innovation and competitiveness dimensions; and illustrate to what extent the envisaged plans of petroleum exploration are in line with longer-term decarbonisation goals.

Complement the mainly qualitative references to some of the projected investment needs, expenditures and funding sources, with further quantification in order to obtain a comprehensive assessment of overall investment needs to achieve the objectives, as well as information on the national and Union financial sources to be mobilised.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.	Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 268.

(4) SWD (2019) 1017 final.

(5) COM (2019) 518 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 268.

(7) SWD(2019) 268.

(8) Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/72

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Netherlands covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/19)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The Netherlands submitted their draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 20 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for the Netherlands (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to the Netherlands (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

The draft plan is based mainly on existing policy of the Netherlands, notably the 2017 Coalition Agreement and the 2013 Energy Agreement (Energieakkoord). Several elements should be added across the Energy Union dimensions, related both to the level of ambition proposed and the accompanying policies and measures, as well as the associated impact assessment. Specific attention is needed on managing interlinkages between the decarbonisation and energy efficiency dimensions and the other dimensions, notably by presenting more concrete and quantifiable objectives related to energy security, internal market and research, innovation and competitiveness, and how these will support the achievement of the decarbonisation, renewables and energy efficiency ambitions. It should be better explained how the energy efficiency first principle was taken into account. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Netherlands are underpinned by the assessment of Netherlands's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THE NETHERLANDS TAKES ACTION TO:

Underpin the welcome level of ambition of a 27-35 % renewable energy share for 2030 as the Netherlands' contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) in a way that enables a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set out in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards, and explain how it intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Put forward trajectories and corresponding measures in the heating and cooling sector and the transport sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on simplification of administrative procedures on the enabling framework for renewable self-consumption renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Review its final energy consumption contribution in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and identify additional policies and measures that could deliver further energy savings by 2030. List additional policies and measures to the ones already in place for the purposes of achieving the Netherlands' 2020 energy efficiency targets. The expected impact in terms of energy savings, their implementation period and the targeted sectors are required in the final integrated national energy and climate plan. Continue efforts regarding the energy saving obligation schemes beyond 2020, taking into account that the energy savings obligation in 2021-2030 is more ambitious than the current one.

3.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and electricity generation adequacy in light of the ambitious renewables target.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2021 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already excellent regional cooperation arrangements within the Pentalateral Energy Forum based on the political declaration of 4 March 2019 to extend this regional cooperation to specifically include the development and monitoring of the national energy and climate plans in particular as regards relevant issues for cross-border cooperation.

6.	Provide a general overview of the investment needs to achieve the climate and energy objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national and regional level.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. Include a dedicated assessment of energy poverty issues, along with related objectives or specific policies or measures as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 227.

(4) SWD (2019) 1018 final.

(5) COM (2019) 519 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 227.

(7) SWD(2019) 227.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/76

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Austria covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/20)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Austria submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 December 2018. The submission of this draft plans represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Austria (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Austria (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

Austria could further elaborate in the final plan the interlinkages between the decarbonisation, internal market and energy security dimensions, especially considering the ongoing transformation of the energy system with an objective of 100 % renewable electricity system and the implications this might have e.g. on the attainment of the 15 % interconnectivity target. In view of the importance of bioenergy for achieving Austria's renewable energy and greenhouse gas targets, further analysis of the implications for accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry and air pollutant emissions would be welcome. As the use of hydro power is important, also the climate change impacts on energy security could be considered.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from increased attention to industry competitiveness and to Austria's competitive strengths and potential challenges in its transition to a carbon neutral energy sector. Measurable objectives for the future would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise, industrial and education policy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Austria are underpinned by the assessment of Austria's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS AUSTRIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Complement the measures it plans to introduce in the building and transport sectors in order to achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas target of -36 % compared to 2005 for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system, with measures notably in the agriculture and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sectors. Specify its intended use of the flexibilities between the effort sharing, accounted LULUCF and emissions trading system sectors.

Put forward a share of renewable energy of at least 46 % as contribution to the Union's renewable energy target for 2030, as indicated by the formula in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, while maintaining the ambitious renewable electricity target. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Indicate detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) and enabling a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Furthermore, put forward trajectories and corresponding measures in the heating, cooling and transport sectors to meet the indicative target pursuant to Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target pursuant to Article 25 of the same Directive. Provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Article 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Review its contributions and identify additional policies and measures that could deliver further energy savings by 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts in order to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Clarify its national contribution, which is currently open to two different options, and express it in both primary and final energy consumption. Further substantiate its provisional indications about the policies and measures to be implemented after 2020, for which their timeline of implementation, clear objectives and expected impacts and savings should be included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan.

4.	Set out concrete objectives on the diversification of oil and gas and on supply from third countries, on the reduction of energy import dependency and on improving resilience and flexibility of the national energy system.

Continue regional cooperation, including consultations with neighbouring countries, both with a view to finalising and implementing the integrated national energy and climate plan, notably in the context of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group and the Pentalateral Energy Forum, especially considering Austria's role as a regional gas hub and in view of the Austrian objective to raise the share of renewables in the electricity sector to 100 %.

7.	Provide a general overview on the investment needed to reach its energy and climate objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular fossil fuels subsidies, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 226.

(4) SWD(2019) 1019 final.

(5) COM(2019) 520 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 226 final.

(7) SWD(2019) 226 final.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/80

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Poland covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/21)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Poland submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 9 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Poland (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Poland (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

Considering the limited information on interactions between different Energy Union dimensions outlined in the draft plan, the final plan could specify key interactions between these dimensions both in terms of national ambition levels and in terms of provisional, planned, additional and existing policy instruments. The final plan could address more specifically interactions between the decarbonisation, energy efficiency and energy security dimensions. This could be supported by extending the provided comprehensive impact assessment e.g. to quantify the impacts on accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry of a sustainable supply of biomass for energy purposes. and addressing risks for energy security due to climate change. Moreover, building on the good starting point of the provided investment needs and expenditures in electricity and energy producing sectors, the final plan could broaden this to energy demand and non-energy sectors, across all Energy Union dimensions. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Poland are underpinned by the assessment of Poland's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS POLAND TAKES ACTION TO:

Provide more information on planned policies and measures to address the projected substantial gap to Poland's greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system for 2030 of - 7 % compared to 2005. This includes more clarity on transport measures and more details on additional measures, notably in the building, agriculture and land use, land use change and forestry sectors and the application of accounting rules as set out in the Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8).

Increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 25 % as Poland's contribution to the Union's 2030 target, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (9), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set out in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards, and explain how such a baseline share will be met and maintained. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put in place detailed measures to meet the transport target set in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details and measures on simplification of administrative procedures, on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Review its contributions and identify additional policies and measures that could deliver further energy savings in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. The proposed level of ambition towards reducing the final contribution should be better justified and backed by adequate and quantified savings from polices and measures. Support policies and measures with an impact assessment and deliver more detailed information on the scale and timeframe of implementation. Further explore policies and measures in transport considering the expected increase in the sector's energy demand in the future.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility of the energy system to accommodate the foreseen changes towards 2030 and beyond.

Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to assess the impact of public service obligations, in particular gas storage and price regulation on market functioning and clarify how negative consequences will be mitigated. Outline a strategy and timeline for progressing towards fully market based prices.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Continue and broaden the consultation of neighbouring Member States and regional cooperation in the context of the Visegrad Group (Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) and in the respective high-level groups. The focus of the regional exchanges could be on further integration in the internal energy market, assessing system adequacy in light of the planned continuation of a capacity market, just transition issues, decarbonisation and renewables deployment and the impact on the energy system and cross-border electricity trade.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, including from a quantitative perspective, and presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures. The final integrated national energy and climate plan should particularly address the impact of the transition on the populations living in coal regions, reinforcing the link to the ongoing coal regions in transition initiative and the corresponding national and regional transition plans, as well as those affected by adjustments in other energy-intensive sectors. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying objectives and intended impacts of planned policies and measures as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 281.

(4) SWD (2019) 1020 final.

(5) COM (2019) 521 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 281.

(7) SWD(2019) 281.

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/84

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Portugal covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/22)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Portugal submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Portugal (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Portugal (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

Portugal has a coherent set of medium and long-term emission reduction targets. To achieve the ambitioned decarbonisation it plans to electrify the economy. The electricity sector needs to be further developed through new renewable electricity capacity, in particular solar, wind and hydro. These developments have strong implications for other Energy Union dimensions, in particular the internal market dimension and research, innovation and competitiveness. The final plan needs to clarify the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy and to address its link to energy poverty. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive overview on competitiveness, not only of the energy-intensive industries, but also the low-carbon technology sector, providing a concrete analysis on the position in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges, and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from further elaboration on the interaction with the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Portugal are underpinned by the assessment of Portugal's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT PORTUGAL TAKES ACTION TO:

Underpin the welcome level of ambition of a 47 % renewable energy share for 2030 as Portugal's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations requested in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8) in a way that enables a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Include in the final integrated national energy and climate plan, among others, an indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put forward measures to meet the transport target set in its integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional information on the simplification of administrative procedures and provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase ambition for final energy consumption contribution, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target and identify additional policies and measures that could deliver further energy savings by 2030. Provide a proper quantification of the energy savings expected from the planned policies and measures as part of a more detailed impact assessment and indicate how they would contribute to the national energy efficiency contributions.

3.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive electricity and gas markets, including progressing towards fully market based prices.

Intensify the existing good regional cooperation with Spain and France. The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in particular cross-border and cross regional interconnections. Consider strengthening measures related to regional cooperation in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Provide a general overview on the investment needed to modernise its economy by reaching its energy and climate objectives, articulated with its national investment plan. Provide a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and the Council (9) as funding source.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing an assessment of the number and type of households in energy poverty and objectives for reducing energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 272.

(4) SWD(2019) 1021 final.

(5) COM(2019) 522 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 272.

(7) SWD(2019) 272.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/88

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Romania covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/23)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Romania submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 December 2018. The submission of this draft planss represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Romania (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Romania (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

The final plan should further develop the assessment of interlinkages between policies and measures, and describe how Romania intends to address them. In particular the plan should describe the synergies between the decarbonisation, the energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle. The interaction between the planned further use of coal and gas at the 2030 horizon and the decarbonisation objectives needs to be assessed. Similarly, an assessment of policy interactions and cross-cutting impacts should be included for policies and measures with a wide-ranging impact, such as planned new capacities built against the energy efficiency and decarbonisation dimensions, the latest regulatory measures concerning the energy market against the internal market and security of supply objectives, and the impacts of decarbonisation measures in transport and the increased use of renewables on the grid. The impact of the increased use of forest biomass in electricity and heat production on the accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry should also be assessed. Moreover, objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from assessing the results of the national competitiveness strategy 2014-2020, presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market as well as highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges. It could also be complemented with more comprehensive measures to tap into the potential of interactions with circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Romania are underpinned by the assessment of Romania's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS ROMANIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Significantly raise the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 34 % as Romania's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put in place adequate measures to meet the transport target set in its integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Put in place measures to simplify the licensing and permitting procedures and provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the specific measures to ensure sustainability for biomass supply and use in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass to Romania across the energy mix, especially in heating and cooling.

Substantially increase the ambition for reducing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Provide more clarity on existing policies and measures and provide more detailed information on the planned policies and measures for the whole 2021 to 2030 period, in particular on their expected savings and impacts as well as timeline for implementation.

Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, in particular measures ensuring flexibility and a robust gas diversification strategy including relevant underlying infrastructure projects and the elimination of the undue restrictions to investments in gas production considering the regional potential of the reserves in the Black Sea. Detail the strategy to ensure the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel in view of the enlargement of the nuclear generation capacity and detail information concerning the strategy to maintain its domestic capabilities in the fuel cycle.

Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop liquid and competitive wholesale and retail markets, both by fostering competition within the country and by eliminating barriers to cross-border trade, including export restrictions. Address the negative impact of wholesale price regulation and provide a clear outlook to ensure compliance of national legislation with Union law with respect to open and liberalised markets and free price formation by including a strategy and timeline for progress towards fully market based prices, while including targeted measures to protect vulnerable customers.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2020 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify regional cooperation with neighbouring Member States and within established regional cooperation frameworks such as the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High Level Group including in gas and electricity infrastructure, renewables, energy efficiency and research, innovation and competitiveness, and taking into account common challenges and shared objectives. There is significant potential to further cooperate with a view to foreseen developments in the electricity sector, including the need to accommodate higher shares of renewables and clean transport, which could impact electricity interconnections and trading in the region.

Extend its analysis of investment needs and risks provided for its Energy Strategy objectives, to a general overview of investment needs to reach the objectives of its integrated national energy and climate plan. Provide a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Include an analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by considering social and employment impacts, listing more concrete measures and timeframes to address energy poverty, as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Discuss the needs and measures addressing the structural changes entailed by the clean energy transition for mono-industrial regions such as those depending on the coal industry or other energy-intensive sectors.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 273.

(4) SWD (2019) 1022 final.

(5) COM (2019) 523 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 273.

(7) SWD(2019) 273.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/92

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovenia covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/24)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Slovenia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 31 December 2018. submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Slovenia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Slovenia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan Slovenia needs to ascertain that all the elements missing in the draft such as with existing measures scenario, the impact assessment and investment needs are addressed for all dimensions. The interlinkages between existing and planned policies and measures should also be taken into account, notably: the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle. An assessment of whether the existing policies will ensure reducing the use of fossil fuels in the power sector as well as information on the energy market functioning are also important elements to be addressed in the final plan. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges. Measurable objectives for the future defined on that basis would be beneficial, together with policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise, industrial and education policy. The final integrated national energy and climate plan could also benefit from a better interaction with the circular economy, emphasising its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Slovenia are underpinned by the assessment of Slovenia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS SLOVENIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Specify cost-efficient additional policies and measures notably on buildings in view of the 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors outside the EU emissions trading system of -15 % compared to 2005 and the corresponding commitment under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) that land use, land use change and forestry emissions do not exceed removals.

Significantly raise the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 37 % as Slovenia's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and after due consideration of relevant circumstances and national constraints. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (9), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Ensure that the renewable energy target for 2020 set in Annex I of Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) is fully met and maintained as a baseline from 2021 onwards and explain how it intends to meet and maintain such baseline share. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Articles 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide concrete measures on the simplification of administrative procedures and enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase the ambition towards reducing primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Express its contribution in terms of final energy consumption. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Indicate policies and measures for the whole 2021-2030 period including their impact, in terms of energy savings expected, and timeline for implementation.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility.

5.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive wholesale and retail markets.

Clarify the national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between 2023 and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the integrated national energy and climate plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Carry out a fully-fledged consultation procedure with neighbouring countries and other Member States in order to promote the achievement of the objectives of the Energy Union in a cost-optimal manner. Explore further the cross-border potential and the macro-regional aspects of a coordinated energy and climate policy notably in the Adriatic with the aim of reducing the region's carbon footprint and implementing an ecosystem approach.

Provide a general overview on the investment needed to modernise its economy by reaching its energy and climate objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level. Considering also cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (11) as funding source.

9.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

10.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy with more quantitative information, at least including the required information about the projected air pollutants emissions under the planned policies and measures.

11.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures, especially in relation to a phase-out of coal-generated electricity. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by specifying the assessment as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 271.

(4) SWD (2019) 1023 final.

(5) COM (2019) 524 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 271.

(7) SWD(2019) 271.

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

(11) Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/96

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovakia covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/25)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Slovakia submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 21 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Slovakia (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Slovakia (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

The final plan should identify interlinkages and ensure coherence between the different dimensions. The holistic approach, already done in the national multi-stakeholder discussions on tackling energy poverty, while taking into account internal market and energy efficiency dimensions, should be extended to all the dimensions. Climate change impacts as a risk for energy security could also be addressed. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Slovakia are underpinned by the assessment of Slovakia's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS SLOVAKIA TAKES ACTION TO:

Significantly raise the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable share of at least 24 % as Slovakia's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy and as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and Council (8), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and put in place adequate measures to meet the transport target set in its integrated national energy and climate plan and in line with Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Put forward concrete measures to reduce administrative burden and in relation to the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive 2018/2001/EC. Provide additional details on the specific measures to ensure sustainability for biomass supply and use in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass to Slovakia across the energy mix and especially in heating and cooling.

Increase its ambition regarding both final and primary energy consumption in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Provide a proper quantification of the energy savings expected from the planned policies and measures as part of a more detailed impact assessment.

3.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and the long-term supply of nuclear materials and fuel in view of the development of the nuclear generation capacity.

4.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular measures to develop more competitive wholesale and retail markets, including progressing towards fully market based prices.

Continue the consultation of neighbouring Member States and regional cooperation in the context of the Visegrad Group involving Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, and of the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High Level Group, as well as bilateral cooperation, such as with Czechia on electricity distribution systems. The focus of regional exchanges could be on further integration in the internal energy market, assessing system adequacy, just transition issues and decarbonisation and renewables deployment and its impact on the energy system.

Extend its analysis of investment needs and sources, including appropriate financing at national, regional and Union level, which is currently provided only for energy efficiency and research, to a general overview of investment needs to reach its energy and climate objectives. Consider also the cost-effective generation of transfers to other Member States under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and Council (9) as funding source.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting and quantifying the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

10.

Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures. The final integrated national energy and climate plan should address the impacts of the transition of the populations living in the coal region of Horna Nitra and make the link to the Government's Action plan for the transition there, as well as of adjustments in other energy-intensive sectors. Further develop the approach to addressing energy poverty issues, including by providing a dedicated assessment of energy poverty as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 274.

(4) SWD (2019) 1024 final.

(5) COM (2019) 525 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 274.

(7) SWD(2019) 274.

(8) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/100

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Finland covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/26)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Finland submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 20 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Finland (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Finland (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan Finland would need to take into account the interlinkages between planned policies and measures, notably: the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle, by explain how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and to address energy poverty. The interactions of the planned policies related to the phase out of coal-fired power plants and reduction of oil use, replaced by forest residues and biofuels and the increased penetration of renewable electricity and the required strengthening of the electricity networks are also important elements to be addressed in the final plan. Similarly, the objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.

(14)

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Finland are underpinned by the assessment of Finland's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS FINLAND TAKES ACTION TO:

Clarify how it plans to comply with the commitment under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) that land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions do not exceed removals, taking into account the possibility of using flexibilities between the effort sharing and the LULUCF sectors. This requires applying the LULUCF accounting rules. Quantify the impact over the whole period 2021-2030 of planned policies and measures to reach the 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors outside the EU emissions trading system of -39 % compared to 2005.

Increase the level of ambition for 2030 to a renewable energy share of at least 51 % as Finland's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy, as indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive 2018/2001/EC of the European Parliament and Council (9), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Provide additional details on the specific measures planned to ensure the long-term sustainability of the use of biomass in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass across the Finnish energy mix. Provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Substantially increase the ambition towards reducing both final and primary energy consumption in 2030 in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Look at the energy savings potential in the residential and industrial sectors and identify the most appropriate measures to address it. Assess the reasons behind the expected increase of the gross domestic product (GDP) being accompanied by an increase of energy consumption, and identify specific measures to mitigate such effect.

Further clarify national objectives and funding targets in research, innovation and competitiveness, specifically related to the Energy Union, to be achieved between now and 2030, so that they are readily measurable and fit for purpose to support the implementation of targets in the other dimensions of the final integrated national energy and climate Plan. Underpin such objectives with specific and adequate policies and measures, including those to be developed in cooperation with other Member States, such as the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

Intensify the already good regional cooperation arrangements between Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), extending them to new areas and broadening the geographic reach to include the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in view to the changes in the electricity systems accommodating higher shares of renewable electricity, which will increase electricity import/export and enhance the need for system flexibility.

7.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

8.	Complement the analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

9.	Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, and policies and measures.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 276.

(4) SWD (2019) 1025 final.

(5) COM (2019) 526 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 276.

(7) SWD(2019) 276.

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/104

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Sweden covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/27)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Sweden submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 17 January 2019. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for Sweden (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to Sweden (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final integrated national energy and climate plan, Sweden should also take into account the policy interlinkages, notably the synergies between the decarbonisation, energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle. The interaction of the planned policies related to the planned increase of renewables in the electricity sector and the required strengthening of the electricity networks are also important elements to be addressed in the final plan. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions. As the use of hydro power is important, also the climate change impacts on energy security could be considered.

(14)

In the final integrated national energy and climate plan, Sweden could build on its general objective of developing technologies and services that can be commercialised by Swedish enterprises by presenting a more comprehensive overview on the competitiveness of the low-carbon technologies sector. It could also benefit from enhanced information on the interaction with the circular economy.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to Sweden are underpinned by the assessment of Sweden's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7),

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT SWEDEN TAKES ACTION TO:

Develop its strategy for achieving the commitment under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) that land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions do not exceed removals, based on applying the underpinning accounting rules. Pay particular attention to assessing the impact of policies and measures on emissions trading system, effort sharing and LULUCF sectors.

Confirm the welcome level of ambition of a 65 % renewable energy share for 2030 referred to in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan, as Sweden's contribution to the Union's 2030 target for renewable energy pursuant to Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9) and to Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This contribution should be underpinned by detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 in a way that enables a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. An indicative trajectory that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 should be included. Additional information relating to overcoming administrative burden should also be included, as well, as additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Additional details should be provided in relation to the specific measures planned to ensure the long-term sustainability of the use of biomass in the energy sector, given the important contribution of biomass to Sweden across the energy mix.

Increase the level of efforts towards reducing final energy consumption in view of the need to collectively reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target, and support it with policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Additional measures and their expected impact in terms of energy savings should be developed and included in the final integrated national energy and climate plan.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and electricity generation adequacy in light of the ambitious renewables target.

Intensify the already good regional cooperation arrangements between Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), extending them to new areas and broadening the geographic reach to include the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). The focus of the regional exchanges should be on internal energy market and energy security areas, in view to the changes in the electricity systems accommodating higher shares of renewable electricity, which will increase electricity import and export and enhance the need for system flexibility.

7.	Provide a general overview of the investment needs to achieve the climate and energy objectives, and a general assessment of the sources of that investment, including appropriate financing at national and regional level.

8.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

9.	Include an analysis of the interactions with air quality and air emissions policy, presenting the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-offs effects.

10.	Integrate just and fair transition aspects better, notably by providing more details on social, employment and skills impacts of planned objectives, policies and measures.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 278.

(4) SWD (2019) 1026 final.

(5) COM(2019) 527 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 278 final.

(7) SWD(2019) 278 final.

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

3.9.2019

Official Journal of the European Union

C 297/108

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 18 June 2019

on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the United Kingdom covering the period 2021-2030

(2019/C 297/28)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

The United Kingdom submitted its draft integrated national energy and climate plan on 20 December 2018. The submission of this draft plan represents the basis and first step of the iterative process between the Commission and Member States for the purpose of the finalisation of the integrated national energy and climate plans and their subsequent implementation.

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)	The Commission's recommendations with regard to the Member States' renewable ambitions are based on a formula set out in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 which is based on objective criteria.

(7)

(8)

(9)

In parallel, as part of the 2018-2019 European Semester cycle, the Commission has put a strong focus on Member States' energy and climate related investment needs. This is reflected in the 2019 Country Report for the United Kingdom (4) and in the Commission's recommendation for a Council Recommendation to the United Kingdom (5), as part of the European Semester process. The Commission took into account the latest European Semester findings and recommendations in its assessment of the draft integrated national energy and climate plans. The Commission's recommendations are complementary to the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. Member States should also ensure that their integrated national energy and climate plans take into consideration the latest country-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester.

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

In the final plan the United Kingdom should draw clearer links between the domestic policies and the Energy Union dimensions, as well as taking into account interlinkages between the planned policies and measures in the decarbonisation, energy security, internal market dimensions and research, innovation and competitiveness. Examples are the energy efficiency first principle, the impact of bioenergy use on the accounted emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry and how climate change risks affect the energy supply.

(14)

The final integrated national energy and climate plan would benefit from presenting a comprehensive analysis on where the low-carbon technologies sector is currently positioned in the global market, highlighting areas of competitive strengths and potential challenges and pointing at measurable objectives for the future and policies and measures to achieve them, making appropriate links to enterprise and industrial policy. It could also benefit from consideration of the role of circular economy, referring to national strategies and action plans and raising their benefits and potential trade-offs in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction.

(15)	The Commission's recommendations to the United Kingdom are underpinned by the assessment of the United Kingdom's draft integrated national energy and climate plan which is published alongside this Recommendation (7).

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THE UNITED KINGDOM TAKES ACTION TO:

Further specify and quantify the impacts of the additional policies and measures, also beyond the building and transport sectors, to achieve the 2030 greenhouse gas target for sectors not covered by the EU emissions trading system of -37 % compared to 2005. This includes the corresponding commitment under Regulation (EU) No 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8) that land use, land use change and forestry emissions do not exceed removals and requires applying the underpinning accounting rules.

Put forward, as United Kingdom's contribution to the EU 2030 target for renewable energy, a renewable energy share of at least 27 % indicated by the formula in Annex II under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. Include an indicative trajectory in the final integrated national energy and climate plan that reaches all the reference points pursuant to Article 4(a)(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with that share, in view of the need to increase the level of efforts for reaching this target collectively. Put forward detailed and quantified policies and measures that are in line with the obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9), to enable a timely and cost-effective achievement of this contribution. Increase the level of ambition in the heating and cooling sector to meet the indicative target included in Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, and increase the level of ambition to meet the transport target in Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Provide additional details on the enabling frameworks for renewable self-consumption and renewable energy communities, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001.

Set national contributions that would be substantially more ambitious than the projections from the modelling quoted in the draft integrated national energy and climate plan in view of the need to increase the level of efforts to reach the Union's 2030 energy efficiency target. Propose more ambitious policies and measures that would deliver additional energy savings by 2030. Indicate policies and measures for the whole 2021 to 2030 period. Provide an impact assessment for the planed policies and measures in energy efficiency, in particular in terms of expected energy savings they are to deliver.

4.	Specify the measures supporting the energy security objectives on diversification and reduction of energy dependency, including measures ensuring flexibility and the long-term supply of nuclear fuel, in view of the possible development of its nuclear generation capacity.

5.	Define forward-looking objectives and targets concerning market integration, in particular outline a strategy and timeline for progressing towards fully market based prices.

Build on the framework of the North Seas Energy Cooperation regarding the exchange of good practices for offshore wind support schemes and potential projects, in order to deliver on the Energy Union objectives of greater energy security, sustainability and competitiveness. In light of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, it should foresee measures to ensure continued regional cooperation with Ireland on emergency preparedness and response for electricity, and security of supply for gas and oil.

8.	Improve its analysis of investment expenditures and sources across Energy Union dimensions, including appropriate financing at national and regional level, which is currently provided for a list of areas, and complement it by a general overview of investment needs, risks and barriers.

9.	List all energy subsidies, including in particular for fossil fuels, and actions undertaken as well as plans to phase them out.

10.	Present the impacts on air pollution for the various scenarios, providing underpinning information, and considering synergies and trade-off effects.

11.

Detail just and fair transition aspects, notably by designating the assessment of energy poverty, stating related objectives and describing the social, employment and skills impacts of the policies, measures and objectives. Special attention should be given to coal and carbon-intensive regions and how they will be impacted by the energy transition. Include a dedicated assessment of energy poverty issues, along with any related objectives or specific policies or measures, as required by the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.

Done at Brussels, 18 June 2019.

For the Commission

Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1.

(2) SWD(2019) 279.

(4) SWD(2019) 1027 final.

(5) COM(2019) 528 final of 5 June 2019.

(6) SWD(2019) 279 final.

(7) SWD(2019) 279 final.

(9) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).

		ISSN 1977-091X
Official Journal of the European Union		C 297

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 62 3 September 2019

Contents		page
	I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions
	RECOMMENDATIONS
	European Commission
2019/C 297/01	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Belgium covering the period 2021-2030	1
2019/C 297/02	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Bulgaria covering the period 2021-2030	5
2019/C 297/03	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Czechia covering the period 2021-2030	9
2019/C 297/04	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Denmark covering the period 2021-2030	13
2019/C 297/05	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Germany covering the period 2021-2030	17
2019/C 297/06	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Estonia covering the period 2021-2030	21
2019/C 297/07	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Ireland covering the period 2021-2030	25
2019/C 297/08	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Greece covering the period 2021-2030	29
2019/C 297/09	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Spain covering the period 2021-2030	33
2019/C 297/10	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of France covering the period 2021-2030	36
2019/C 297/11	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Croatia covering the period 2021-2030	40
2019/C 297/12	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Italy covering the period 2021-2030	44
2019/C 297/13	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Cyprus covering the period 2021-2030	48
2019/C 297/14	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Latvia covering the period 2021-2030	52
2019/C 297/15	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Lithuania covering the period 2021-2030	56
2019/C 297/16	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Luxembourg covering the period 2021-2030	60
2019/C 297/17	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Hungary covering the period 2021-2030	64
2019/C 297/18	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Malta covering the period 2021-2030	68
2019/C 297/19	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the Netherlands covering the period 2021-2030	72
2019/C 297/20	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Austria covering the period 2021-2030	76
2019/C 297/21	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Poland covering the period 2021-2030	80
2019/C 297/22	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Portugal covering the period 2021-2030	84
2019/C 297/23	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Romania covering the period 2021-2030	88
2019/C 297/24	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovenia covering the period 2021-2030	92
2019/C 297/25	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Slovakia covering the period 2021-2030	96
2019/C 297/26	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Finland covering the period 2021-2030	100
2019/C 297/27	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of Sweden covering the period 2021-2030	104
2019/C 297/28	Commission Recommendation of 18 June 2019 on the draft integrated National Energy and Climate Plan of the United Kingdom covering the period 2021-2030	108