The cost of energy dependence
The EU imports 53% of the energy it consumes, including almost 90% of its crude oil, 66% of its natural gas and 42% of its solid fuels such as coal.In 2013 the bill for external energy amounted to about €400 billion.
Europe is also heavily dependent on one single supplier, namely Russia, responsible for a third of oil imports,39% of gas and 26% of solid fuels. Six EU countries depend on Russia as the supplier for their entire gas imports.
Towards increased energy security
The EU is now seeking to reduce this dependence by diversifying energy sources and suppliers, cutting back on energy consumption, boosting energy production and cooperation between countries and investing in renewables. These initiatives and others have all been outlined in the European energy security strategy presented by the Commission in May and debated by the Parliament's industry committee on 22 July.
The committee will be keeping a close eye on the strategy. Committee chair Jerzy Buzek, a Polish member of the EPP group, said at the end of the discussion on 22 July: "Energy security will play a prominent role in the work of the committee in the months to come. This issue is of crucial importance to all of us."
REF. : 20140718STO53032
