EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/207

(2004/C 70 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3056/03

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(17 October 2003)

Subject: Measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply

On 23 September 2003 Parliament voted on the Commission proposals concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply and security of supply for petroleum products. By means of both proposals the Commission is endeavouring to strengthen control over these energy sources. Parliament voted by an absolute majority to refer the proposal concerning security of supply for petroleum products back to the Commission and adopted substantial amendments to the proposal on measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply.

1. Can the Commission state how the Netherlands were consulted during the process of drafting the proposal on gas supply?

2. Can the Commission state how the fundamental interests of the Netherlands, the EU's largest natural gas producer, were taken into account in the proposal concerning natural gas supply?

3. Given the substantial similarities between the two proposals, does the Commission intend to withdraw both following the vote in Parliament?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 2003)

The Netherlands have been consulted in the same manner as all Member States. Moreover, a number of bilateral meetings between the Commission and industry representatives at various levels took place, in order to discuss relevant matters of security of supply. Papers issued by the European gas industry have been fully taken into account, when conceiving the proposal.

The Commission has to protect the fundamental interests of the Community taking into account the principle of subsidiarity, as laid down in the Treaty establishing the European Communities. Beyond that, the Commission is always striving for taking account of national circumstances prevailing in Member States. This goes for the Netherlands, one of the largest Union gas producer, too.

The proposal for a Directive concerning measures safeguarding security of gas supply (1) calls for:

— definition of roles and responsibilities of market participants in the new, unbundled and competitive environment of a competitive natural gas market;

— setting up of minimum standards for certain customers;

— introduction of a safety net for long-term contracts;

— setting up a solidarity mechanism for extraordinary gas supply situations (major supply disruption).

This has to be seen against the background that in a competitive and well functioning natural gas market, the level of security of gas supply might be reduced due to increased competition among gas suppliers. While large consumers of natural gas usually define themselves that level of security of supply they consider most appropriate to their needs, small consumers (household, small commercial and public entities without fuel switching capabilities) are not able to do.

In the long-term, the security of supply of the Union will more and more depend on imports from external suppliers. These imports will come from more distant regions and entail more risks.

In order to overcome these problems a common framework is needed to ensure the security of gas supply in a competitive natural gas market and in the long term.

For these reasons, the similarities between the two proposals are limited.

(1) OJ C 331 E, 31.12.2002.