Innovation and the Energy sector – Opportunity to contribute to EU survey “Impact of Regulation on Innovation” before 16 May 2016

• United Kingdom

• Environment - Energy and sustainability
• Environment - Shale gas
• Energy and infrastructure

03-05-2016

There’s growing concern that Europe does not currently have the right regulatory environment for innovative products and services in a range of industries, including the energy sector. Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, has said that more must be done to create a regulatory environment for innovation to flourish. He is committed to getting the conditions right for innovation in Europe, and making sure that regulation is based on an innovation principle as well as the precautionary principle.

So, the European Commission is looking to put in place a regulatory framework that can adapt to the pace of change of new technologies and innovation. Mr Moedas sees such a framework as essential for EU supplies of innovative products and services, to attract inward investment, and to maintain the benefits, (in terms of jobs, growth and environmental and social wellbeing), that come from those investments and the EU’s world leading position in research and development.

This is highly relevant to the energy industry, due to extensive regulatory pressures (including emissions reductions to meet climate change targets), and the rapid pace of technological change to respond to a changing energy landscape and ongoing pressure to drive down costs.

The online survey

To progress this initiative, the Commission launched an online survey early in April. It gives industry and other stakeholders the opportunity to contribute their views on the Impact of Regulation on Innovation. The survey has been extended to run until 16 May 2016.

Much of the survey is tick box with the option to provide additional comments. It covers a range of issues and asks whether each issue is a driver, barrier, neutral or not applicable to innovation. The issues include the impact on innovation of environmental protection legislation, the existence of state/semi-state and private dominant positions in the sector, procurement rules as well as the conflicting requirements of different regulations and competition law.

One section of the survey is “only for respondents in the energy sector”. This section focuses on the impact of EU energy sector specific legislation, including conventional and unconventional oil and gas, renewable energy, nuclear and the internal energy market. It also provides an option to give details regarding “other EU legislation encouraging/discouraging innovation activities”.

There are also some open questions applicable to all sectors, such as whether a non-uniform implementation of EU regulations in Member States hinders innovation and whether any specific regulatory gaps exist.

It’s positive that the European Commission recognises the strong relationship between innovation and economic growth. It also acknowledges that the regulatory environment may be an enabling factor or a perceived or real barrier to innovation particularly to the energy sector. This is your opportunity to “have your say”.

To complete the survey please click here.

To view the Directorate General for Research and Innovation webpage on Open Innovation please click here.