Cyprus' Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michalis Damianos, expressed confidence on Friday that EU energy ministers would reach a general approach on the grids package during the Energy Council meeting in Luxembourg, the last to be held under the Cypriot Presidency. "Today we will be discussing the grids package, which is extremely important, and my aim is to reach a general approach," Damianos said upon his arrival at the Council.
He noted that over the past six months the Cypriot Presidency had worked under the motto "an autonomous Union open to the world," with the objective of strengthening the Energy Union as well as the resilience and competitiveness of the European energy market.
Highlighting the importance of the legislative package, Damianos said there was broad recognition of the need to reinforce Europe's electricity networks. "It is extremely important for the Union to enhance its energy grid, to expand it and modernise it. I look forward to a fruitful discussion with my colleagues today," he said.
Asked about the outlook for energy supplies during the summer and preparations for next winter, the Minister recalled that the issue had already been discussed by the Energy Council at the end of March, adding that ministers would hold a follow-up discussion in light of the latest developments concerning the Strait of Hormuz. "We are confident that we will make it through the summer. The discussion is really about drawing lessons from recent crises, how we respond to them and ensuring that we are ready if the time comes," he said.
Responding to a question on whether the expected general approach on the grids package represented a setback for the European Commission's role in the planning of cross-border electricity transmission infrastructure, Damianos said only that he was confident ministers would finalise the general approach during the day. "We are confident that we will reach a general approach today and finalise it. We'll take things from there," he said.
Asked about a call by 12 member states for targeted amendments to the EU methane regulation over concerns about possible supply disruptions, the minister said he had listened to the discussion earlier in the day but did not elaborate further.
On whether there had been contacts with the United States regarding the methane regulation, Damianos said there had been none at his level, adding that the issue of US pressure was not on the Council's agenda.
