Buzek: 'Europe needs common energy market'

Jerzy Buzek speaking at the 5th European Economic Congress: photo - PAP/Andrzej Grygiel

Buzek reaffirmed his view during a session at the 5th European Economic Congress in Katowice, southern Poland.

“Solving the problems of a common energy market are the key to rapid development,” he said, as cited by Polish Radio.

“If energy is being subsidized in various countries, then such energy cannot be introduced onto the common market, because the one which has the subsidies will obviously win in competition with energy providers,” he reflected.

Buzek added that the prospective common energy market is also a question of energy security, and that cross-border connections must be constructed.

“Each country in the union must have a combination of gas and electricity. Then we will at our most safe.”

Buzek cited Poland's own predicament.

“We always worry whether we will have enough power for the next five years. It's said that we might run out of 5000 MW, because we may have to turn off the old energy blocks.”

Poland is currently engaged in a wide-ranging initiative to expand its energy sources, including a bid to exploit its shale gas resources.

The 5th European Economic Congress concudes today. (nh)