SECRETARIAAT-GENERAAL
SECRÉTARIAT GÉNÉRAL
Cross-border cooperation in the Benelux
and with its neighbouring countries
&
the impact of the “Energiewende”
• What is the Benelux ?
• Benelux Energy Cooperation : timeline, targets ,
interconnections & achievements
• Current and future projects
What is the Benelux ?
Benelux : 50 years and more....
1944
1958
1985
2008
“Customs Union” treaty (entry into force : 1948)
Benelux “Economic Union” treaty (entry into force: 1960)
Schengen treaty
Benelux “Union” treaty (entry into force: 2012)
3 THEMES
•
INTERNAL MARKET AND
ECONOMIC UNION
•
•
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
JUSTICE AND HOME
AFFAIRS
COOPERATION
1 POLITICAL SUPPORT
AGREED UPON BY THE
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS :
• COMMON MULTIANNUAL
WORK-PROGRAM
• ANNUAL PLANS
WITH OTHER ENTITIES
• NORDIC, BALTIC, VISEGRAD
----• NEW TREATY,
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
• NORTHRHINE-WESTFALIA:
POLITICAL DECLARATION (2009)
• OTHERS: COR, OCDE, COE
2 OBJECTIVES
• EXPAND CROSS-BORDER
COOPERATION
• STRENGTHEN BENELUX
PIONEERING ROLE WITHIN THE
EUROPEAN UNION
5 INSTITUTIONS
2008 BENELUX TREATY
•
•
•
•
•
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS
COUNCIL
GENERAL SECRETARIAT
BENELUX-PARLIAMENT
BENELUX-COURT OF JUSTICE
The Benelux in the European context: the permission clause
” The provisions of the (EU)Treaties shall not
preclude the existence or completion of
regional unions between Belgium and
Luxembourg, or between Belgium,
Luxembourg and the Netherlands, to the
extent that the objectives of these regional
unions are not attained by application of the
Treaties.”
ARTICLE 350
EU TREATY
COMMON MULTIANNUAL WORK PROGRAM (2013 – 2016)
1 “leitmotif”, 7 priorities
ENERGY
SOCIAL
COHESION
ENVIRONMENT &
SPATIAL
PLANNING
GROWTH
INNOVATION
SECURITY
MOBILITY
ECONOMY
& KNOWLEDGE
SECURITY
PREVENTION
OF FRAUDS
ANNUAL PLAN 2013
3 themes, 21 objectives, 61 ongoing projects, 52 new initiatives
TARGETS, TIMELINE & AIM
OF THE BENELUX COOPERATION
IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY
Key targets of
the Benelux Cooperation
in the field of energy
• Creation of an efficient energy market
• Facilitating synergies and understanding
between all relevant stakeholders
• Security of supply
• Affordability
• A coordinated move to renewables
Key Dates: a timeline
2003
2003
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2010
2011
2011
2012
2013
EU launches “2nd energy market package ”
Benelux conference with presence of regulators, network companies,
electricity exchanges and clearing houses and government officials
In June, establishment of the Pentalateral Forum; with Germany and
France invited to join. In December, decision on a plan of action and a
work-program
Black-out in Germany
Memo of Understanding (MoU) on “the creation of a regional electricity
market“ signed by the five Energy Ministers. Austria becomes observer.
Launching of the North Seas Countries’ Offshore Grid Initiative (NSCOGI) to
facilitate planning of large renewable investments
Pentalateral electricity wholesale market
URBISCOOP cooperation launched on energy efficiency in existing construction
“Energiewende” in Germany
Austria becomes member of the Pentalateral, Switzerland observer
Feasibility study concerning the NSCOGI
June – New Penta MoU to be signed under Luxemburg Presidency on further
market integration & extension to North West Europe.
Why a regional energy cooperation?
The “raison d’être” of Benelux and because of:
• A high interdependency
• Limited interconnection
• The shift to renewable sources, the “Energiewende”
having reinforced
the necessity to act …
THE BENELUX &
THE OTHER PENTA ENERGY MARKETS
ARE STRONGLY INTERDEPENDENT
Energiewende 2011
• Benelux was and is closely connected to German
Energy market both in electricity and gas
(Niedersachsen L-Gaz)
• Fast growing renewable capacity in German
North Sea will partially have to pass through the
Benelux Grid to reach the south of Germany
Regional Cooperation is crucial for an efficient
and sustainable future energy market!
Interconnection I
CREOS
Luxembourg
Amprion connection to
Germany
Interconnection II
Netherlands
Interconnection III
Belgium
Elia Group
BENELUX ACHIEVEMENTS
IN THE FIELD OF ENERGY
Benelux and Pentalateral Cooperation :
a proven success story (and formula)
LUX, NL, BE
DE, FR, BE, NL, LUX, AT, (CH)
The regional wholesale markets are coupled,
covering more than 40% of the installed
electricity generation capacity in the EU
A unique platform for cooperation
• Pentalateral Platform
• Gas Platform
• North Sea Countries Offshore
Grid Initiative(NSCOGI)
Benelux General Secretariat
assumes the secretariat and some logistical
and operational aspects of the coordination
A multi-level Cooperation
Market
Integration
Political
Discussion
&
Cooperation
Regulatory
Cooperation
Benelux
Energy
Targets
Renewable
& Energy
Services
Market
Security of
Supply
Stimulating
Transnational
Project
Development
An example of the Pentalateral Market Coupling /
Strong Price Convergence Netherlands-Germany
after CentralWesternEurope Market Coupling
100%
90%
Absolute hourly price difference Netherlands - Germany
Q4 2010 - Q1 2011
5%
17%
80%
≤ 10.00
70%
60%
> 10.00
34%
≤ 5.00
50%
≤ 2.00
40%
≤ 1.00
30%
20%
10%
8%
4%
4%
20%
82%
≤ 0.05
12%
0
12%
0%
Before CWE
After CWE
Present and Future
Benelux Energy Projects
Present and future challenges
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Climate change
Competitiveness
Internal Market
Interconnection
Affordability (of prices)
Safety of the network
System adequacy
Security of Supply
Generation capacity
Renewable energies access to network
Increase cross-border trading
 The signing of a political declaration by Penta
Ministers in June 2013 to give further political
guidance to the initiative
 Wind Energy Projects – within the North Seas
Countries Offshore Grid Initiative
 The challenges of Electric Mobility
 URBISCOOP “energy efficiency in the cities”
Offshore Grid in the North Sea
Proposed Hydro, Wind & Grid
Charging points
electrical vehicles
in BE, NL & LU
NL 3000
BE 250
LU 16
Energy Efficiency in city planning policies
Benelux “Urbiscoop” Program
In 2010 Benelux Secretariat General initiated the URBISCOOP Program, a
flexible cooperation framework between cities within the Benelux and in
NRW.
In the field of energy
19 Cities in Benelux & NRW participate, as
well as representatives of the regional and/or national level in :
» an in-depth study on optimization of energy
efficiency in existing buildings (in collaboration with
the EUKN)
» a sharing place of experiences and best practices
» a platform to facilitate cross-border cooperation and
to seek EU support for local projects
… some preliminary conclusions
• Benelux and German Energy Markets are highly connected
and interdependent
• The vision towards more renewable energy supply is shared
by all
• In the context of energy transition and climate change, the
Pentalateral Forum is the best place to coordinate
• The ‘Energiewende’ has accelerated and intensified regional
cooperation, as a first step towards an EU internal energy
market
• The Benelux Union will continue to function as a platform to
lead the way in the European context, as well as to develop
common new initiatives…
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Alain de Muyser
Deputy Secretary General
a.demuyser@benelux.int
Jan Molema
Head of Team
j.molema@benelux.int
www.benelux.int