A4-0026/96

Resolution on the working paper of the Commission on small and very small electricity systems in the internal electricity market (SEC(95)0685 - C4- 0281/95)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission's working paper (SEC(95)0685 - C4-0281/95),

- having regard to its resolution of 10 October 1995 on the Commission's Green Paper 'For a European Union energy policy' ((OJ C 287, 30.10.1995, p. 34.)),

- having delegated the power of decision, pursuant to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure, to the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinion of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy (A4-0026/96),

A. whereas the Commission's working paper on small and very small electricity systems in the internal electricity market of 10 May 1995 is to be welcomed as an important contribution to completing the internal market in energy,

B. whereas a transmission system of the type proposed, inter alia, in the working paper would not provide an adequate basis for the introduction of rational planning procedures,

C. having regard in particular to its call for an internal market in energy in paragraph 13 of its resolution of 10 October 1995 referred to above,

D. having regard to the public supply mandate which is intended to guarantee, throughout the Union, a cost-effective and secure supply of electricity,

1. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the effective monopoly which is actually necessary for the proper functioning of small isolated electricity systems respects the general economic interest and, in particular, the rights of consumers;

2. Stresses that, while the Commission's communication centres on the question of electricity transmission, the question of security of public supply is ignored, and so calls on the Commission to write that point into its communication paper;

3. Emphasizes that the best way of ensuring that small and very small electricity systems are accorded equal opportunity in the internal market in energy is by establishing effective procedures to prevent abuse;

4. Notes the importance of small and very small electricity systems for the production of energy from renewable sources and calls on the Commission to draw up an action plan to protect existing producers of energy from renewable sources and encourage its further development;

5. Stresses that the question of energy-savings will be of less importance to final customers in a liberalized market, and therefore calls on the Commission to introduce obligatory provisions on energy advisory services;

6. Stresses that a coherent development of all the regions of the European Union depends on electricity prices which differ only marginally, and therefore calls on the Council and the Commission to maintain the existing price parity between urban and rural regions;

7. Stresses the desirability in environmental policy terms of introducing rational energy consumption measures such as combined heat and power systems and integrated resource planning, and calls on the Commission to create suitable structures for the implementation of such measures;

8. Stresses that small and very small systems should benefit from ad hoc arrangements which are derogations from the common rules of the internal energy market, pursuant to Article 90(2) of the Treaty;

9. Calls on the Commission to integrate the question of small and very small electricity systems in the directive on the internal electricity market;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee.