Review of EU funding for energy sector 1995-1997
The European Commission has published a communication outlining the financial assistance provided by the EU in the energy sector in the years from 1995 to 1997. This review is aimed at contributing to the debate on energy policy in Europe, both at EU level, where discussions are ongoing on the creation of an Energy Framework Programme, which would bring together a number of existing EU energy programmes, and at national level, where activities need to be better coordinated in order to meet the EU's needs in terms of security of supply and environmental protection. According to the review, EU grants to the energy sector in the three years 1995, 1996 and 1997 totalled ECU 4,656 million. More than one-third of this funding (ECU 1,879 million) went to energy research and development, for example through the Non-nuclear Energy RTD programme (JOULE/THERMIE), and through the nuclear fusion and fission research activities. The Structural Funds provided ECU 1,500 million for energy projects, while the EU's international cooperation instruments provided ECU 823 million for the energy sector. A further ECU 10,229 million was provided in loans, principally by the European Investment Bank (EIB), over the same period. The communication provides a breakdown of spending by programme over the period, as well as providing breakdowns of sectors and countries as appropriate. For example, it shows the total Structural Funding going to the energy sector in each Member State. For international cooperation, it gives a breakdown by regions of the destination of funding and loans.