Position Paper: Sweden's EU Presidency and its implications for the European energy agenda

Introduction

The rotating EU Presidency has shifted from the Czech Republic to Sweden. For the next 6 months, Stockholm will chair meetings, set the agenda and represent the EU on the international stage. Hopes are high for the new administration, particularly given their predecessor's poor performance. This paper considers the energy-related challenges Stockholm will face and how they will likely respond

Scope

*Critical insight into the incoming Swedish administration's key strengths and weaknesses, and how these will impact on the Presidency's energy policy

*Analysis of the issues set to dominate the EU energy agenda over the coming six months and Stockholm's role in shaping the outcome

*Unbiased assessment of what Brussels can and cannot realistically expect to achieve in regards to energy security, efficiency and climate change

Highlights

The incoming administration is a ""safe pair of hands"" in terms of diplomatic expertise but the recession and institutional uncertainty means Stockholm inherits the Presidency at a difficult time; they should be realistic about what can be achieved

Sweden will almost certainly have to deal with another gas crisis between Russia and her neighbors but has limited capacity to shape events

However, Sweden is in a strong position to push its energy-efficiency agenda, not least through leading by example; investments in energy efficiency will bring tangible long term gains

Reasons to Purchase

*Anticipate and prepare for the incoming EU Presidency's new energy agenda; build an in-depth understanding of the issue

*Build accurate and impartial background knowledge and understanding of the current and future energy challenges facing the EU

Report Highlights
Highlights

The incoming administration is a ""safe pair of hands"" in terms of diplomatic expertise but the recession and institutional uncertainty means Stockholm inherits the Presidency at a difficult time; they should be realistic about what can be achieved

Sweden will almost certainly have to deal with another gas crisis between Russia and her neighbors but has limited capacity to shape events

However, Sweden is in a strong position to push its energy-efficiency agenda, not least through leading by example; investments in energy efficiency will bring tangible long term gains
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DATAMONITOR VIEW 1
CATALYST 1
SUMMARY 1
ANALYSIS 2
The Swedish administration will be best served by focusing on energy efficiency rather than issues over which it will have little influence 2
Sweden has the skills and expertise to handle the six month rotating EU Presidency more competently that the Czech Republic 2
However, the recession and institutional uncertainty means Stockholm inherits the Presidency at a difficult time 2
Weak and unpredictable carbon prices have undermined investor confidence in renewable or low-emission generation sources 3
Sweden will almost certainly have to deal with another gas crisis between Russia and her neighbours but has limited capacity to shape events 4
Russia supplies in excess of 35% of Europe's total gas consumed but is dependent on a Ukraine and Belarus to reach lucrative western markets 4
Sweden has little power to avert a gas crisis, other than to bring stakeholders to the table to pre-empt a breakdown in payments 5
However, Sweden is in a strong position to push its energy-efficiency agenda, not least through leading by example 6
Sweden should be realistic about what it can achieve in six months: investments in energy efficiency will bring tangible long term gains 7
DEFINITIONS 8
Rotating European Presidency 8
Further reading 8
Ask the analyst 8
Datamonitor consulting 9
Disclaimer 9
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List of Tables
List of Figures
Figure 1: The price of emitting carbon is low and erratic 3
Figure 2: Schematic showing gas supplies (given in BCM) and trade direction 4
Figure 3: Energy efficiency levels vary across Europe 6
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