Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a multiannual programme for action in the field of energy: "Intelligent Energy for Europe" Programme (2003-2006)
Date: 2002-04-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, action programme, available energy, energy demand, energy policy

27.8.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/47

Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a multiannual
‘Intelligent Energy for Europe’ Programme
programme for action in the field of energy:

(2003-2006)

(2002/C 203 E/09)

COM(2002) 162 final — 2002/0082(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission on 11 April 2002)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

development. Overcoming these obstacles means adopting
a new approach to Community policies to bring them
closer to individual citizens and businesses in order to
change patterns of consumption and investment.

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure provided for in
Article 251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

apart

from renewable

(1) Natural resources, the prudent and rational utilisation of
the Treaty,
which is provided for in Article 174 of
include,
energy sources, oil,
natural gas and solid fuels, which are essential energy
sources but are also the main sources of carbon dioxide
level to
emissions. Promoting measures at international
deal with
environmental
problems is one of the aims of that Article.

or worldwide

regional

(2) The Commission communication entitled ‘A sustainable
Europe for a better world: A European Union strategy
the
for
Gothenburg European Council of 15 and 16 June 2001,
includes greenhouse gas emissions and pollution caused
by transport among the main obstacles to sustainable

development’ (1),

sustainable

presented

to

(1) COM(2001) 264 final, 15.5.2001.

(3) The Gothenburg European Council adopted a strategy for
sustainable development and added an environmental
employment,
dimension to the Lisbon process
economic reform and social cohesion.

for

(4) Measures relating to energy efficiency and renewable
the action
the Kyoto
in the European Climate

energy sources are important elements of
needed to comply with the provisions of
Protocol, as provided for
Change Programme (ECCP) (2).

(5) The Green Paper entitled ‘Towards a European strategy for
the security of energy supply’ (3) notes that the European
Union is becoming increasingly dependent on external
its dependence could rise to
energy sources and that
70 % in 20-30 years'
time (compared with 50 % at
the need to balance
present) and therefore stresses
supply policy against clear action for a demand policy
and calls for a genuine change in consumers' behaviour
so as to orientate demand towards better managed and
more environmentally friendly consumption, particularly
in the transport and building sectors, and to give priority
to the development of new and renewable sources on the
energy supply side in order to respond to the challenge of
global warming.

(6) The Communication from the Commission on an action
plan to improve energy efficiency in the European
Community (4) provides for the improvement of energy
efficiency by an additional 1 % a year compared with
the figure of 0,6 % which corresponds to the trend
recorded over the last ten years.
If this target is met,
energy-saving potential, which is
the
two-thirds of
estimated at 18 % of
total consumption, could be
realised by 2010. The action plan proposes legislative
measures and supporting actions. The implementation of
the action plan also requires the setting-up of efficient
systems for monitoring and follow-up.

(2) COM(2000) 88 final, 8.3.2000.
(3) COM(2000) 769 final.
(4) COM(2000) 247 final.

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(7) The Communication from the Commission entitled
‘Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy’ —
White Paper
for a Community strategy and action
plan (1) — sets an indicative target of 12 % of energy
from renewable sources in gross internal consumption
in the EU by 2010. The Council,
in its Resolution of
8 June 1998 on renewable energy sources (2), and the
European Parliament,
in its Resolution on the White
Paper, underlined the need for a substantial, sustained
increase in the utilisation of renewable energy sources
in the Community and fully endorsed the strategy and
action plan proposed by the Commission, including the
renewable
strengthening of programmes
sources. The action plan provides
to
support the promotion and development of renewable
energy
from the
Commission on the implementation of the Community
strategy and action plan for renewable energy sources
(1998-2000) (3) notes
the progress which has been
made, but stresses that further efforts are needed at EU
and national level to attain these objectives, in particular
new legislation on renewable energy sources and their
promotion.

Communication

for measures

to support

sources.

The

(8) Since most Community measures on energy efficiency, in
particular the labelling of electrical, electronic, office and
communications equipment and the standardisation of
lighting, heating and air-conditioning equipment, are not
binding on the Member States, there is a need for specific
promotion programmes at Community level to create the
energy
conditions
systems.

for moving

sustainable

towards

(9) The same applies to the Community measures to achieve
greater market penetration for renewable energy sources,
in particular
the standardisation of equipment which
produces or consumes renewable energy sources.

(10) Council Decision 1999/21/EC, Euratom of 14 December
1998 adopting a multiannual framework programme for
actions in the energy sector (1998-2002) and related
measures (4), the Decisions on the specific programmes,
namely Council Decision 1999/22/EC of 14 December
1998 adopting a multiannual programme of studies,
analyses, forecasts and other related work in the energy
(1998-2002) — ETAP programme (5), Council
sector
Decision 1999/23/EC of 14 December 1998 adopting a
multiannual
framework programme to promote inter-
national cooperation in the energy sector (1998-2002)
— Synergy programme (6), Council Decision 1999/24/EC,
Euratom of 14 December 1998 adopting a multiannual

(1) COM(97) 599 final.
(2) OJ C 198, 24.6.1998, p. 1.
(3) COM(2001) 69 final.
(4) OJ L 7, 13.1.1999, p. 16.
(5) OJ L 7, 13.1.1999, p. 20.
(6) OJ L 7, 13.1.1999, p. 23.

safe

solid fuels

transport of

radioactive materials

the safety of nuclear
participating
currently

programme of technical actions promoting the clean and
efficient use of
(1998-2002) — Carnot
programme (7), Council Decision 1999/25/Euratom of
14 December 1999 adopting a multiannual programme
(1998-2002) of actions in the nuclear sector relating to
the
and to
safeguards and industrial cooperation to promote certain
in the
aspects of
countries
TACIS
Programme — SURE programme (8), European Parliament
and Council Decision 646/2000/EC of 28 February 2000
adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of
renewable energy sources in the Community (1998-2002)
— Altener programme (9), and European Parliament and
Council Decision 647/2000/EC of 28 February 2000
adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion
of energy efficiency (1998-2002) — SAVE programme (10)
expire on 31 December 2002.

installations
the

in

(11) In accordance with Article 5(2) of Decision 1999/21/EC,
Euratom, the Commission has had independent experts
carry out an external evaluation of the above framework
programme and the specific programmes. In their report,
the evaluators recognise the importance of, in particular,
the Altener, SAVE, Synergy and ETAP programmes in the
context of the implementation of the energy strategy and
the Community strategy for sustainable development.
They note the lack of resources for these programmes
given the genuine needs and suggest
they should be
increased.

(12) Taking

and

development

into account

the Community

for
the
sustainable
framework programme
should be
taken to strengthen Community support in those energy
fields
that contribute to sustainable development by
grouping them in a single programme — ‘Intelligent
Energy for Europe’ — comprising four specific areas.

the
evaluations,

strategy
of

results
steps

(13) The importance and success of Community support for
renewable energy sources in the framework of the Altener
programme during the period 1993 to 2002 justifies the
inclusion in the present programme of a specific field
concerning renewable energy sources — ‘Altener’.

(14) The need to strengthen Community support

the
for
rational use of energy and the success of
the SAVE
programme during the period 1991-2002 justifies the
inclusion in the present programme of a specific field
concerning renewable energy efficiency — ‘SAVE’.

(7) OJ L 7, 13.1.1999, p. 28.
(8) OJ L 7, 13.1.1999, p. 31.
(9) OJ L 79, 25.10.2000, p. 1.
(10) OJ L 79, 25.10.2000, p. 6.

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(15) Improving energy use in the transport sector is extremely
important in Community efforts to reduce the negative
effects of transport on the environment. This justifies the
inclusion in the present programme of a specific field
concerning the energy aspects of transport — ‘STEER’.

the exercise of
procedures
conferred on the Commission (1).

for

implementing powers

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

is one of

in particular,

(16) The need to promote the best practices developed in the
Community in the fields of renewable energy sources and
energy efficiency, and to transfer them to the developing
countries
the Community's
priorities as regards international commitments, along
the
with strengthening cooperation on the use of
flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. In order to
ensure continuity with regard to the former Synergy
programme concerning actions in the abovementioned
areas, a specific field concerning the promotion of
renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the
framework of international promotion — ‘Coopener’ —
should be included in this programme.

for

(17) This Decision lays down for the entire duration of the
programme an overall budget constituting the prime
authority, within the
reference
meaning of point 33 of the Interinstitutional Agreement
between the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission of 6 May 1999 on budgetary discipline
and improvement of the budgetary procedure.

the budgetary

(18) Given that the programme's objectives, which concern the
implementation of the Community strategy in the fields of
energy contributing to sustainable development, cannot
be adequately achieved by the Member States acting indi-
vidually since a promotion campaign and exchanges are
required, based on close cooperation on a European scale
between the various players at national, regional and local
level, and can therefore be better achieved at Community
level, the Commission may take measures in accordance
with the principle of subsidiarity enshrined in Article 5 of
the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of propor-
tionality as set out in the abovementioned Article, this
Decision does not exceed what is necessary in order to
achieve those objectives.

(19) The provisions of this Decision are without prejudice to
Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty, and in particular the
Community guidelines on State aid for environmental
protection.

(20) The measures needed to implement this Decision should
be
adopted in accordance with Council Decision
1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the

A multiannual programme for actions in the field of
‘Intelligent Energy for

1.
energy, hereinafter
Europe’, is hereby adopted for the period 2003-2006.

referred to as

2.
This programme will contribute to the implementation of
the medium and long-term Community energy strategy and, in
particular,
following general
objectives:

to the achievement of

the

(a) security of supply,

(b) competitiveness, and

(c) environmental protection.

The programme seeks to promote sustainable development,
economic and social cohesion and environmental protection,
thereby generating an effective link between these measures
and actions carried out under other Community policies.

It also seeks to increase transparency, coherence and the coor-
dination of all the activities and other measures in the energy
sector.

Article 2

The specific objectives of this programme are as follows:

renewable

(a) to provide the elements needed for the development and
implementation of a medium and long-term energy policy,
notably with regard to demand management, increased use
diversification,
sources,
of
including in transport, and strengthening the potential of
the
and
preparing the legislative measures needed to attain these
strategic objectives;

the outlying regions,

in particular

regions,

energy

energy

(b) to develop the instruments and means needed to follow up,
monitor and evaluate the impact of the measures adopted
by the Community and by EU Member States in the fields
of
sources,
including the energy aspects of transport;

and renewable

efficiency

energy

energy

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

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(c) to bring about a genuine change in energy behaviour in the
Community by raising awareness among the main players
concerned, businesses and citizens in general, so that they
move towards efficient and intelligent energy production
and consumption patterns based on solid and sustainable
foundations, by promoting exchanges of experience and
know-how, by supporting actions
intended to boost
investment in emerging technologies, and by encouraging
the spread of best practices and the best available tech-
including in the educational system, as well as
nologies,
by means of promotion at international level.

including the development of standards and labelling and
certification systems, long-term voluntary commitments to
be agreed with industry, as well as forward studies, strategic
studies on the basis of shared analyses, and regular moni-
the markets and energy
toring of
trends;

the development of

(b) the creation or enlargement of structures and instruments
for sustainable energy development,
including local and
regional energy planning and management, and the devel-
opment of
and market
instruments;

financial products

adequate

Article 3

1.

This programme is structured in four specific fields:

(c)

(a)

‘SAVE’, which concerns the improvement of energy effi-
ciency and demand management,
in the
building and industry sectors,
including the preparation
of legislative measures and their application;

in particular

energy

systems

the promotion of
and
sustainable
equipment in order to accelerate their penetration of the
market and stimulate investment to facilitate the transition
from the demonstration to the marketing of more efficient
technologies,
campaigns and the
creation of institutional capabilities aimed at implementing
the clean development mechanism and joint implemen-
tation under the Kyoto Protocol.

including awareness

(b) ‘Altener’, which concerns

the promotion of new and
renewable energy sources for centralised and decentralised
urban
production
environment,
legislative
measures and their application;

including the preparation of

integration

their

into

and

the

(d) the development of

the utilisation of results,

information, education and training
structures;
the promotion and
dissemination of know-how and best practices involving
all consumers, and cooperation with the Member States
through operational networks at Community and inter-
national level;

(c)

‘Steer’, which concerns support for initiatives relating to the
energy aspects of transport, the diversification of fuels and
the promotion of renewable fuels and energy efficiency in
transport, including the preparation of legislative measures
and their application;

(e)

the monitoring of the implementation and the impact of
Community policy, and the support measures;

(d) ‘Coopener’, which concerns support for initiatives relating
to the promotion of renewable energy sources and energy
efficiency in the developing countries.

(f)

the evaluation of the impact of actions and projects funded
under the programme.

2.
Initiatives, referred to as ‘key actions’, combining several
specific areas and/or relating to certain Community priorities,
for example in the outermost regions as defined in Article
299(2) of the Treaty, may be launched.

2.
Under this programme, the financial assistance allocated
to the actions and measures in the four specific fields referred
to in Article 3(1) shall be established on the basis of the
Community added value of
the action proposed and will
depend on its benefit and expected impact as well as on the
origin of the initiative.

Article 4

1.
For each of the four specific areas referred to in Article
3(1), Community funding under the programme shall be for
measures or projects concerned with:

(a) the implementation of medium and long-term strategies in
the energy field to promote sustainable development,
security of
the internal
supply in the framework of
market, competitiveness and environmental protection,

The aid may not exceed 50 % of the total cost of the measure,
the rest being covered either by public or private funds, or a
combination of the two. The aid may, however, cover all the
cost of some actions, such as studies and other actions to
implement and evaluate the impact of
prepare, supplement,
Community strategy and policy measures and any measures
proposed by the Commission to encourage exchanges of
coordination
experience
between Community, national,
other
and
initiatives.

and know-how to improve

the
international

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All costs relating to actions and measures undertaken solely on
the Commission's initiative will be borne by the Community.

Article 6

The financial reference amount

1.
programme is EUR 215 million.

for implementing this

Article 5

1. Within six months of the adoption of this Decision, the
Commission shall establish a work programme, in consultation
with the Committee referred to in Article 8(1). This work
programme shall be prepared and updated in accordance
with the procedure laid down in Article 8(2).

2.

The work programme shall set out in detail:

Annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary
authority within the limit of the financial perspective.

Financial reference amounts shall be laid down on an indicative
basis for each specific area. An indicative breakdown of this
is given in the Annex. The budgetary allocation
amount
between areas shall be flexible in order to deal more effectively
with changing needs in the sector.

(a) the guidelines, specific objectives and priorities for each of
the specific areas referred to in Article 3(1), taking account
of the added value that all the measures proposed will
provide at Community level as compared with existing
measures;

2.
The arrangements for the Community financial assistance
for the actions undertaken under this programme shall be laid
down in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regu-
lation of 21 December 1977.

(b) the implementation arrangements, distinguishing between
actions envisaged on the Commission's
initiative and
those where the initiative comes from the sector and/or
the market concerned, as well as the funding arrangements
and the type of and rules for participation;

Article 7

The Commission shall be responsible for the execution of this
programme and for establishing draft guidelines applicable to
the actions and measures to be undertaken for each of the
specific areas referred to in Article 3(1). These guidelines
shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down
in Article 8(2).

(c) the selection criteria and the arrangements for applying
them to each type of action and the method and
instruments for monitoring and utilising the results of the
actions
the definition of
performance indicators;

and/or projects,

including

(d) the indicative timetable for the implementation of the work
in particular as regards the contents of the

programme,
calls for proposals;

(e) the detailed rules for coordination and linkage with other
Community policies, and the procedure for the devel-
opment and implementation of actions and measures coor-
dinated with those carried out by the Member States in the
field of sustainable energy in order to provide added value
as compared with measures taken by each Member State
acting on its own and in order to achieve an optimum
combination of the various instruments at the disposal of
both the European Union and the Member States;

(f)

the operational arrangements in order to
if necessary,
encourage
and outlying
regions in the programme, and the participation of SMEs.

the participation of

remote

Article 8

1.
The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee made
up of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by
the Commission representative.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in conformity with the
provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period provided for
1999/468/EC shall be three months.

in Article 5(6) of Decision

3.

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 9

The Commission shall carry out an annual examination
1.
of
the progress made on this programme and the actions
carried out in the four specific areas referred to in Article 3(1).

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During the third year of the period of application of the
2.
programme and in any case before putting forward proposals
on any subsequent programme, the Commission shall have
independent experts carry out an external evaluation of the
overall implementation of the Community actions carried out
under this programme. The Commission shall communicate
the conclusions of this evaluation to the European Parliament,
the Council,
the Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions.

the respective association
thereto and in the decisions of
councils. It shall also be open to the participation of Cyprus,
Malta and Turkey on the basis of the bilateral agreements
concluded with these countries.

3.
Likewise, the programme shall be open to the partici-
pation of the EFTA/EEA countries on the basis of additional
funds and in accordance with procedures to be agreed with
these countries.

Article 10

Article 11

1. Without prejudice to paragraphs 2 and 3, participation in
this programme shall be open to any legal, public or private
person established on the territory of the European Union.

This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

This programme shall be open to the participation of the
2.
in
Eastern European candidate
Central
accordance with the conditions laid down in the Europe
in the additional protocols relating
association agreements,

countries,

and

Article 12

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT NEEDED (1)

ANNEX

Areas of action

1. Rational use of energy and demand management

2. New and renewable energy sources and diversification of energy production

3. Energy aspects of transport

4. Promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency at international level,

particularly in the developing countries

million EUR
(2003-2006)

75

86

35

19

(1) This breakdown is indicative for the specific areas ‘rational use of energy and demand management’,

‘new and renewable energy
sources and diversification of energy production’ and ‘energy aspects of transport’. The budgetary allocation between areas is flexible
in order to deal more effectively with changing needs in the sector.

(2) The appropriations earmarked for international promotion are a fixed amount representing 8,8 % of the total programme cost.
(3) An additional contribution is to be anticipated from 2004 onwards as a result of the enlargement of the Union to include new

Member States.

(4) The budget for the Executive Agency is set by the budgetary authority as a percentage of the programme's overall financial allocation.

Total

215 (2) (3) (4)