European Energy Union Task Force constituted

The Energy Union Task Force has been established to foster better coordination on key energy policy issues in Europe and to address the challenges obstructing the development of a genuine ‘energy union’.

Outlined in the European Commission’s ‘Action plan for affordable energy’ released in February alongside the clean industrial deal, the Energy Union Task Force is intended as an informal arrangement to accelerate progress towards the termed ‘genuine energy union’.

Constituted of high-level representatives from the European Commission, relevant EU institutions and member states as well as technical experts where necessary, the task force is expected to provide concrete solutions towards the completion of the energy union.

In this context, according to the affordable energy action plan, the completion of a genuine energy union requires a fully integrated energy market, with a cohesive governance framework that aligns national and EU-level objectives.

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Some key priorities include optimising the use of the existing energy infrastructure, accelerating interconnectivity, improving grid and energy system planning coordination among member states and providing support for implementation of EU energy legislation at national level.

Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, said that it is only by working even closer together that Europe will achieve a genuine energy union.

“This new task force will drive our work to deliver what our citizens and businesses are calling for: a secure, clean and affordable energy system. This is the backbone of an economy that prospers and of a society that brings about benefits for all.”

Meetings of the task force are planned to occur regularly with the next planned for early September to discuss the first concrete policy items.

Alongside the new task force, the European Commission reports a range of other actions towards completing the energy union, including a white paper on deeper electricity market integration, revision of the governance regulation and a clean energy investment strategy as well as plans to ramp up electrification, to increase digitalisation and the use of AI and to integrate the heating and cooling sector.

A key underlying issue of ongoing concern is the high energy prices in the EU, impacting on both consumers and industries.

Through the energy union, ultimately cheaper energy with its benefits including less price volatility, is posited to result.