Powering a climate-neutral economy: an EU strategy for Energy System Integration

Energy system integration is the coordinated planning and operation of the energy system ‘as a whole’, across multiple energy carriers, infrastructures, and consumption sectors (for example: electricity, gas, buildings, transport, industry).

This strategy, published on the 8th of July 2020 together with the parallel communication ‘A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe’ sets out a vision on how to accelerate the transition, and proposes concrete policy and legislative measures at EU level to gradually shape a new integrated climate-neutral energy system that can help achieve the climate targets set out in the European Green Deal. In addition, it identifies follow-up proposals that will be prepared as part of the legislative reviews of June 2021.

The 6 main pillars dealt with in this strategy:

– A more circular energy system, with ‘energy-efficiency-first’ at its core
– Accelerating the electrification of energy demand, building on a largely renewables-based power system
– Promote renewable and low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen, for hard-to-decarbonise sectors
– Making energy markets fit for decarbonisation and distributed resources
– A more integrated energy infrastructure
– A digitalised energy system and a supportive innovation framework

More updates to come 

May 2021

In an interview, rapporteur Ansins argues that Cities and regions must be full partners of the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration:

Report adopted at the European Committee of the Regions plenary

14 December 2020

As the scope of the opinion will be extended to comment also on the ‘EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future’, Rapporteur Ansiņš will meet 14  December 2020 also Ivan Pineda, Director of Public Affairs from Windeurope to exchange on the points relevant to cities and regions.

10 November 2020

Ansiņš presented his working document in the ENVE commission saying that: “The principle “energy-efficiency-first” is the top priority for the resource efficient future Europe. Our energy system should be more resource-efficient, rely on an ever-growing share of renewable energies, integrate different energy carriers flexibly and be further distributed across Europe. Different energy carriers – electricity, gas and heat – should be allowed to flow seamlessly between households, transport and industry, enabling deeper decarbonisation and thus bringing down the costs for reaching the EU’s 2050 objective of the climate neutrality.” 

23 September 2020

Ansins organizes a national stakeholders’ meeting – discussion on the CoR opinion “Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration”. Riga and MS Teams platform, with the following participants:

• Mr Gunārs Ansiņš, Rapporteur, LV delegation to the CoR, Vice Chairman of Liepāja city council
• Mr Einārs Cilinskis, Senior Expert, Department of Sustainable energy policy, the Ministry of Economics
• Mr Edijs Šaicāns, Director, Department of Energy market and infrastructure, the Ministry of Economics
• Mr Sandis Jansons, Executive Director, Head of Board, joint stock company “Sadales tīkls”
• Mr Aivars Slišāns, Head of the Corporative clients’ service, joint stock company “Sadales tīkls”
• Mr Jānis Bethers, Head of Business Development, joint stock company “Latvijas Gāze”
• Mrs Inga Iļjina, Counsellor (Energy, Statistics, Construction), Permanent Representation of the Republic of Latvia to the European Union
• Mr Sanita Šķiltere, expert of the Rapporteur, Adviser on Finances and Economics, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
• Mr Andris Akermanis, Adviser on Energy Issues, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments  
• Mrs Agita Kaupuža, Adviser to the Chairman on EU Issues, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments  
• Mrs Marija Zjurikova, Deputy Director,  Department of Energy market and infrastructure, the Ministry of Economics
• Mrs Blāzma Stivriņa, assistant of Mr Gunārs Ansiņš, Liepāja city council

September 2020

Gunars Ansiņš appointed as rapporteur for “Powering a climate-neutral economy: an EU strategy for Energy System Integration.