Council Regulation (EEC) No 2618/80 of 7 October 1980 instituting a specific Community regional development measure contributing to improving security of energy supply in certain Community regions by way of improved use of new techniques for hydro-electrical power and alternative energy sources

COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2618/80 of 7 October 1980 instituting a specific Community regional development measure contributing to improving security of energy supply in certain Community regions by way of improved use of new techniques for hydro-electrical power and alternative energy sources
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 724/75 of 18 March 1975 establishing a European Regional Development Fund (1), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 214/79 (2), and in particular Article 13 (3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (3),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (4),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (5),
Whereas Article 13 of Regulation (EEC) No 724/75 (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund Regulation") provided, independently of the national allocations of resources fixed by Article 2 (3) (a) of that Regulation, for participation by the Fund in financing specific Community regional development measures which are in particular linked with Community policies and with measures adopted by the Community in order to take better account of their regional dimension or to reduce their regional consequences;
Whereas the Member State concerned has provided the Commission with information on regional problems likely to be the subject of a Community specific measure;
Whereas the Fund's resources are allocated having due regard to the relative severity of regional imbalances within the Community;
Whereas the Council in its resolution of 17 September 1974 on a new Community energy policy (6) expressed its resolve to improve the security of energy supply;
Whereas the European Council, meeting at Strasbourg on 21 and 22 July 1979, expressed its resolve to continue and intensify efforts to limit the consumption of petroleum, and, via economies in energy, the development of indigenous resources and the progressive use of alternative energy sources, to limit, during the period 1980 to 1985, Community imports to an annual level equal to or below that of 1978;
Whereas limitation of petroleum imports is likely to affect particularly those Community Member States who have a substantial energy deficit and a heavy dependence on petroleum imports;
Whereas Italy is one of these Member States and that furthermore the installed electrical power reserves are particularly weak there, and that therefore the risks of power cuts during peak consumption periods are very great;
Whereas the development of the Mezzogiorno, and particularly of its mountain areas, requires the installation of new activities with consequent increased electricity consumption, and that power losses due to long-distance transmission of electricity produced in the north are high, and that therefore there is need to encourage the installation of new local production capacity;
Whereas it is necessary for the Community to reinforce national measures to improve natural supplies of energy in these areas by means of a specific Community regional development measure;
Whereas measures have already been taken in the field of the common agricultural policy, and other assistance from Community funds, capable of being usefully combined, should be given in these areas;
(1) OJ No L 73, 21.3.1975, p. 1.  (2) OJ No L 35, 9.2.1979, p. 1.  (3) OJ No C 285, 15.11.1979, p. 3.  (4) OJ No C 85, 8.4.1980, p. 24.  (5) OJ No C 83, 2.4.1980, p. 4.  (6) OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 1.   Whereas adoption by public authorities of improved technology (mini-turbines) allowing exploitation of the hitherto under-utilized natural, hydro-electric resources of these regions, and the utilization of alternative energy sources are likely to contribute to realizing these aims, whilst improving the relatively weak electricity distribution network;
Whereas private users with moderate requirements could have an interest in exploiting local sources of hydro-electric power and alternative energy themselves, in view of their own consumption needs, and that for this purpose an active information campaign should be undertaken, and that such users ought to be encouraged to set up the necessary installations;
Whereas the maintenance of these mini-turbines may provide a number of additional jobs for the local population;
Whereas the Community measure must be implemented in the form of a special multi-annual programme ; whereas it is for the Commission, in approving this programme, to ensure that the operations planned thereunder comply with the provisions of this Regulation;
Whereas the special programme must respond to certain of the objectives encompassed by the regional development programme provided for under Article 6 of the Fund Regulation;
Whereas the Commission must verify that the special programme is properly carried out by examining the annual reports which the Member State concerned will present to it for this purpose;
Whereas, the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee must be informed regularly on the implementation of this Regulation,