The European Commission has unveiled plans to diversify the EU's energy imports and reduce dependence on Russia, the main gas supplier. The EU will remain dependent on imported fossil fuels for many years to come, the Strategic Energy Review says.
The European Commission has unveiled plans to diversify the EU's energy imports and reduce dependence on Russia, the main gas supplier.
The EU will remain dependent on imported fossil fuels for many years to come, the Strategic Energy Review says.
Some member states "are overwhelmingly dependent on one single supplier," the document says, without naming Russia.
It urges the EU to develop energy infrastructure in the Baltic states and the Mediterranean region.
It also wants the EU to build a North Sea offshore grid, to link up national electricity grids in north-western Europe and plug in the numerous planned offshore wind farms.
!ADVERTISEMENT!
"It should become, together with the Mediterranean Ring and the Baltic Interconnection project, one of the building blocks of a future European supergrid," the strategy paper says.
A Mediterranean energy ring - interconnecting electricity and gas networks - "is essential to develop the region's vast solar and wind energy potential," it says.
Article Continues:Â http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7727028.stm
