The UK referendum decision to leave the European Union has created significant uncertainty for both the UK and EU energy sectors. The UK’s expected departure from the EU has raised questions concerning the UK’s 2020 renewable energy commitments, UK access to the single EU energy market and the EU’s commitment to market liberalisation. Brexit may also undermine the investment outlook and places greater pressure on the remaining 27 EU Member States to meet the 2030 renewable and energy efficiency targets.
To examine Brexit’s significance for the energy sector in both the UK and EU, including legal aspects, the TLI hosted a Transnational Regulatory Governance seminar featuring a presentation by Ms Ana Stanic, principal at E&A Law. Ms Stanic examined th UK’s current participation in the EU’s Internal Energy Market and potential models of cooperation for when the UK leaves the EU.
The questions over the UK’s contribution to the EU’s 2020 and 2030 climate, renewables and energy efficiency targets were also considered. More broadly, the potentially disruptive consequences for the UK’s nuclear sector and for energy infrastructure investment in the UK in the context of deep uncertainty over the rules that will be applicable, including regarding state aid.
Following Ms Stanic’s presentation, the discussant, Dr Slawomir Raszewski from the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security, added his own comments and began a lively and forthright Q&A session. The capacity audience reflected the broad interest in and concern about the consequences of Brexit, including with respect to energy. This event was the latest in a series of Transnational Regulatory Governance sessions which have examined legal issues regarding energy, climate chnage and trade from various angles.
Please find the lecture featured in Soudcloud here: Brexit: What does it mean to the EU and UK‘s energy sector’
