The 2013 edition of the yearbook adopts a new philosophy. The previous editions were based mainly on the conferences that Claeys & Casteels hold at the beginning of each year, providing a snapshot of the challenges and expected trends of energy law and policies. This 2013 edition also provides ample documentation of the "best of" of articles of the European Energy Journal, recently published books, and an overview of important law making and case law during 2013.
'In the last edition of the yearbook we compared 2012 to a year of take-off for energy policy after a complete overhaul of the engines by the Lisbon Treaty and a clear flight plan by the third internal market package. We may now consider that European energy policy reached cruising speed in 2013, building up enough thrust to glide through the legislative idleness of 2014 when Members of Parliament will campaign for the elections in May and Members of the Commission will look for a new job in November. 2014 will build upon 2013.'
-Helmut Schmitt von Sydow, Professor, University of Lausanne and European College of Parma; Former Director and Chief Legal Adviser, DG TREN, EC
The achievements of 2013 are considerable. The council concluded legislative work on the Regulation for Trans European Network guidelines for energy and on the directive for the safety of offshore oil and gas drilling. Council and parliament also reached agreement on 59 financing programmes in the context of the Unions multiannual financial framework for 2014 to 2020 and the selection of 248 strategic interconnection projects.
The European Commission published a report on the external aspects of energy policy in the perspective of a pan-European energy market, and in December both Council and the European Council identified the priorities for the Union's internal market, including the effective application and enforcement of European legislation.
Apart from nuclear energy, a sensitive issue dominated discussions, namely shale gas and fracking. This book provides clear insights by many distinguished academics and high-level officials from European institutions and industry on emerging developments.
