Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou focused on the possibilities of the Eastern Mediterranean region to contribute to the diversification of energy sources, in the context of a discussion on the EU's transition from natural gas to new renewable gases and hydrogen, during his participation in the work of the Transport Council, of Telecommunications and Energy of the European Union, held on Tuesday in Brussels with a composition of Ministers of Energy.
As stated in a related announcement, Member States have reached an agreement on the Council's general approach to the package of proposals regarding natural gas and hydrogen, which aims to facilitate the penetration of renewable and low-carbon gases in the energy system, but also to enable the transition from natural gas to these new renewable gases, as part of efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
In his intervention, the Minister of Energy stated that Cyprus agrees with the Renewable Gas, Natural Gas and Hydrogen Package, noting that it is a “very important piece of legislation that is expected to help member states meet the goals set at EU level for climate neutrality'.
Mr. Papanastasiou particularly pointed out the fact that the package in question provides the possibility of promoting hydrogen interconnections between member states and third countries through the creation of regional partnerships.
The Minister of Energy made a special reference to the possibilities of the Eastern Mediterranean to contribute to the diversification of energy corridors and sources and by’ extension to the EU's energy security. He noted, finally, that the package takes into account the specificities of Cyprus as an energy isolated and emerging market.
In his intervention in a debate on the Commission's new proposal for the revision of the electricity market, which was made public on March 14, the Minister of Energy pointed out the need to take into account the specificities of small isolated systems. An important goal, he stressed, should be the reduction and stabilization of electricity prices for the benefit of consumers.
Within the framework of the meeting, the member states also reached a political agreement on the extension by one year (until March 2024) of the regulation on coordinated measures to voluntarily reduce gas demand by 15%.
Mr. Papanastasiou thanked the Swedish Presidency for recognizing the particularities of the member states when implementing the measures to reduce the demand for natural gas. It is recalled that Cyprus does not use natural gas.
The agenda of the meeting also discussed the preparation of the EU in view of the next winter, the Denmark's proposal on the effects of the Nature Restoration Regulation on energy production and development, as well as Greece's proposal on the need for an EU electricity grid capable of sustaining and accelerating the green transition.
As noted, the Minister welcomed Greece's proposal, making special reference to connections with third countries as a tool for the transfer of energy from renewable energy sources, such as those from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Balkans.
Finally, the Energy Ministers had a working lunch with the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Herman Galushenko, with whom they discussed the latest developments in the energy sector in Ukraine.
Source: KYPE
