A positive step towards the security of gas supply

The liberalization of the gas market has failed to achieve the much hoped-for diversification of sources and to ensure the security of supply. Alternative pipelines, such as Nord Stream and Nabucco (if completed successfully), will contribute to provide durable solutions but before they become operational, precautionary steps need to be adopted to prevent a repeat of crises such as the January 2009 crisis, argues the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in its opinion on the issue adopted on 20 January.

The EESC issues this opinion one year after Gazprom cut off gas supplies to the EU through Ukraine, affecting 18 European countries and exposing Europe's heavy dependence on Russian imports". Last winter's crisis underlined the need for greater solidarity and cooperation in the EU in response to emergency situations", said Sergio Cabeza Santillán (Employees Group, Spain) , the opinion's reporter. "We cannot exclude the possibility of another major disruption taking place in the future, and the Union needs to be prepared for this".

Responsibilities for the security of supply must be clearly allocated to national public authorities, the Commission as well as to private organizations and companies. Close cooperation is needed among all of them to ensure the continuity of the gas supply to state-protected clients such as hospitals and schools in the event of an emergency.

In the same vein, the EESC calls for small-scale consumers and household consumers to be given special protection in the event of a disruption to supply. Moreover, Member States in breach of their security of supply obligations should face penalties, states the EESC.

While it broadly supports the Commission's draft regulation, the Committee insists on the need to reconsider gas market liberalization policy as it has failed to produce greater investment in clean energies, or achieve a diversity of supply.

In addition, the Committee deplores the fact that customers' rights have not been sufficiently addressed. More attention should be given to how the measures affect the price of gas and the right of customers to receive exhaustive information in the event of an emergency should be highlighted.

Lastly, the EESC underlines that the effectiveness of all schemes aimed at ensuring the security of supply will depend on solidarity between the Member States and their willingness to cooperate with one another. In this context, the Commission's powers in emergency situations need to be strengthened so as to prevent any harmful unilateral decisions.

The full text of the opinion will soon be available in all EU languages on:

https://toad.eesc.europa.eu/AgendaDocuments.aspx?pmi=wn2T0RD61Do%3d

For more details on the opinions, please contact the reporters:

http://eescmembers.eesc.europa.eu/EESCMembers.aspx?culture=en