Šefcovic vows to ‘explore’ common gas purchasing

The European Commission’s Vice President for Energy Union, Maroš Šefcovic, has pledged to explore the idea of creating a single purchaser of gas on behalf of EU member states. Addressing MEPs in the European Parliament this week, the 48-year-old Slovakian said Brussels must “explore common purchasing of gas”, although he underlined the importance of respecting international competition law under the World Trade Organization.

With a clear reference to Moscow, Šefcovic said EU countries must secure “much better treatment [and] much better price” when negotiating long-term gas contracts. “We are the biggest energy customer in the world, [but] are we behaving like that?” Šefcovic asked MEPs. 

Šefcovic was only given five days to prepare for the public hearing in Strasbourg after President-Elect Jean-Claude Juncker nominated him as vice president following the withdrawal of Alenka Bratušek, former prime minister of Slovenia (see Energy union suffers setback after Bratušek rejection, 9 October 2014). Šefcovic had originally been nominated as commissioner for transport and space; however, Bratušek’s withdrawal forced a reshuffle after it became clear she did not have adequate support from MEPs. 

‘Single buyer’ solution

The idea of a common purchaser of gas on behalf of all member states was originally launched by Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister and incoming president of the European Council. It is seen as a controversial idea and does not have support from key member states – including the UK and Germany. However, the proposal has the backing of senior officials within the commission. 

Miguel Arias Cañete, the new commissioner for climate action and energy, said during his public hearing in parliament that he would support the idea of ‘joint negotiating’ if it was in line with WTO trade rules. (see Industry concerned over Cañete’s calls for single gas buyer, 9 October 2014). 

At this week’s public hearing in Strasbourg, Šefcovic told MEPs he supported binding targets for energy efficiency and hoped member states would strike an ambitious agreement for 2030 energy and climate targets at the council summit this week. 

Asked whether he was in favour of a more ambitious renewables target by 2030 than the 27% EU-wide target tabled by the commission, Šefcovic said: “There are several countries that would like to go over the 27% target – I believe Europe will overachieve this target.”

Regarding the South Stream pipeline, Šefcovic echoed the view of outgoing energy commissioner Günther Oettinger. He said the project must comply with EU competition law and did not strengthen security of supply in the EU. 

Work on the Bulgarian section of South Stream was suspended earlier this year following pressure from the EU. “There is a good reason for [the suspension] because we simply cannot accept that such a big project could be taking place in the EU by a company which does not want to respect European rules,” Šefcovic said.

 He added: “Russia is increasingly using gas supply as an instrument of pressure and as a political weapon against Ukraine and other countries who want to help [it]. That is totally unacceptable.”