European strategic energy technology plan

The Council held an exchange of views on the strategic energy technologies action plan (SET-plan). The exchange of views, based on a questionnaire drawn up by the presidency, focussed on energy-related research as well as on the impact of the plan on the competitiveness of European industry.

The debate revealed a broad consensus on the importance of the SET-plan in order for the EU to be a leading actor in this area and on the new opportunities that it might represent for European companies. Research in this field could also significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusions on the SET-plan will be adopted at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting on 28 February, with a view to providing input for the Spring European Council.

The conclusions are based on a Commission communication presented last year in response to a request from the 2007 Spring European Council, where it was recognised that there was a need to step up energy research, in particular to boost the competitiveness of sustainable energies, notably renewables, and low carbon technologies and to pursue the further development of energy efficient technologies.