Britain, Czech Republic Seek Hands-off EU Energy Policy

Britain and the Czech Republic are calling for less EU intervention in energy policy, putting them at odds with nations like Denmark and Germany as the EU prepares to publish policy proposals on an energy union in the next few weeks.

A joint British-Czech position paper seen by Reuters says the European Commission's efforts to enforce EU energy policy across the 28-member bloc must be "light-touch and non-legislative" and respect member state flexibility.

The view is in tune with the Conservative-led British government's philosophy of lessening European influence before parliamentary elections in May that are likely to be dominated by Eurosceptic arguments.

By contrast, a position paper from EU nation Denmark says that a more united stance ensures supply security and counters Russian dominance of the European gas market.

"Denmark finds that increasing European security of supply is first and foremost achieved through completion of the internal energy market, further deployment of renewable energy and through an increased reduction of energy demand by improving energy efficiency," the paper said.

The national position papers are being circulated in Brussels by diplomats, who asked not to be named. The European Commission and national representatives in Brussels have a policy of not commenting on unpublished policy papers.

Germany, the European Union's most powerful member state, has yet to put forward any policy paper, but diplomats say its position is close to that of Denmark.

The Czech Republic, like Britain, is promoting the use of nuclear plants, which generate power without emitting carbon, but are opposed by environmentalists. Germany is phasing them out.

To make sure that goals on cutting carbon emission and increasing use of renewables are achieved, the Commission, the EU executive, is preparing proposals on what it refers to as governance. Denmark and its allies want to translate these into national action, which Britain opposes.

Britain has backing from some sections of business, which say EU interference imposes cost burdens and impedes competitiveness.

Environmental campaigners and Green politicians counter that the only way to bring about change is through national targets, which can be followed up by legal action if they are not met.

Luxembourg Green member of the European Parliament Claude Turmes said Britain was seeking to have "only an environment policy, not an energy policy" at EU level.

By Barbara Lewis