Baltic Sea energy ministers sign MoU to boost energy security

Energy ministers of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) High-Level Group have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in an effort to bolster the region's energy security.

The signing of the agreement took place on the sidelines of the informal meeting of EU energy ministers which took place in Warsaw, Poland, this week, which focused on mitigating security risks in the region.

Besides enhancing energy security, the MoU looks to create a more efficient and unified energy market. To achieve these goals, the ministers have agreed to invest in and collaborate on infrastructure projects, specifically regional interconnections.

The ministers are looking to work together on realising renewable energy potential (onshore wind, offshore wind and hydrogen), promoting energy efficiency, as well as strengthening the internal energy market.

The MoU also emphasised the need for greater cooperation to protect critical infrastructure against cyber and physical threats, ensuring continuous operation of both onshore and offshore energy generation and transmission assets.

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European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen commented on the signing: "I welcome the MoU signed by BEMIP members. It will accelerate regional cooperation on interconnectors enhancing our energy security and resilience and step up joint work to protect our critical energy infrastructure, including undersea cables. This is even more vital in the current geopolitical circumstances, when boosting energy independence and security is an absolute must."

The BEMIP High-Level Group was established in October 2008 and is composed of the European Commission and eight EU countries; Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden - with Norway as observer.

The mission of the BEMIP is to end energy isolation of the Baltic Sea region though integration with EU markets. The first MoU was signed in June 2009 and focused on electricity and gas markets, infrastructure and power generation.

On 8 June 2015, a new MoU was signed to include security of supply, energy efficiency, renewable energy and the integration of the Baltic States' electricity network into the continental European network.