Miscellaneous Instruments

Abstract

Abstract The European Commission (Commission) adopted Decision 2004/20/EC setting up an executive agency, the ‘Intelligent Energy Executive Agency’, to manage Community action in the field of energy in application of Council Regulation (EC) No. 58/2003, for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. The European Parliament (EP) and the Council have adopted Directive 2004/8/EC on the Promotion of Co-generation Based on a Useful Heat Demand in the Internal Energy Market. The purpose of this Directive is to increase energy efficiency and improve security of supply. A framework is created for the promotion and development of high energy efficiency co-generation of heat and power based on useful heat demand and primary energy savings in the internal energy market, taking into account specific national circumstances especially concerning climatic and economic conditions. Member States are required, inter alia, to adopt harmonized efficiency reference values, under the Directive, and to ensure that the origin of electricity produced from high-efficiency co-generation can be guaranteed according to objective, transparent, and non-discriminatory criteria laid down by each Member State. As its title indicates, Directive 2004/67/EC concerning Measures to Safeguard Security of Natural Gas Supply establishes measures to safeguard an adequate level for the security of natural gas supply. According to this Directive, such measures also contribute to the proper functioning of the internal gas market. It establishes a common framework within which Member States will (i) define general, transparent, and non-discriminatory security of supply policies compatible with the requirements of a competitive internal gas market; (ii) clarify the general roles and responsibilities of the different market players, and (iii) implement specific nondiscriminatory procedures to safeguard security of gas supply.