WRITTEN QUESTION E-4095/00

by Fodé Sylla (GUE/NGL), Jean-Louis Bourlanges (PPE-DE), Gérard Onesta (Verts/ALE) and Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Towards recognition of a right to energy

Access to energy is seen as a legitimate aspiration by all human beings.

Access to energy often represents the gateway to education, health and long life, and energy has become as vital as air or water.

The EU has essential responsibilities in this connection, as it lays down the legal rules governing the internal market in goods and services, including energy, and promotes solidarity and development through the structural funds. It plays a role at the international level, as embodied in the major development programmes MEDA, PHARE and TACIS and in negotiations with ACP countries and EU representation in trade and environmental negotiations from Seattle to The Hague.

How does the Commission intend to take account in its legislative initiatives and its programming of a right to energy, i.e. ensure equality of access for everyone to at least one source of energy whilst contributing towards harmonious, equitable and environmentally-compatible development? And how can it encourage international recognition of this right to energy as a human right?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2001)

The Commission agrees with the view of the Honourable Members that one of the most basic objectives of Community energy policy is the guarantee of secure supplies of energy to all Community citizens and industry under reasonable conditions.

Indeed, in this light the Commission has recently adopted a Green Paper entitled Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply(1) in the context of which, the Commission has identified 13 questions that will focus the debate on the vital issue of secure energy supplies. The views of the Parliament on the Green Paper will be of particular importance in permitting the Commission to draw operational conclusions in due course.

Furthermore, as mentioned by the Honourable Members, there are particular issues regarding security of supply and universal service in the context of the creation of the internal markets in electricity and gas. The Commission will shortly publish a Communication on Completing the internal energy market, together with concrete proposals for the achievement of this objective.

As regards the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the Commission recognises the key role that the provision of energy services has in supporting social and economic development in these countries, by helping to reduce poverty and by supporting the integration of ACP States into the world economy. It considers that environmental, financial and institutional sustainability should define the ways in which these services are provided.

A draft strategy for sustainable energy in ACP States is being finalised. This highlights two main themes: energy sector institutional and policy support and encouraging partnerships between the various actors, and integrating sustainable energy into other development activities, recognising the role that energy can have in contributing to the achievement of Community development objectives in other sectors. The draft strategy highlights decentralised renewable energy and energy efficiency as especially important areas for future development co-operation. It also outlines the essential role of the private sector and the need to establish partnerships between the public and private sectors.

(1) COM(2000) 769 final.