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Improving pipeline represents an advantage for consumers and European industry by reducing costs and dependence on Russian imports. Figure [IV] shows the increase in the cost of electricity consumption per household over a period of five years. The average increase is 4%, which is far beyond the effect of inflation. This increase in costs can be interpreted as the result of the inability to implement the European interconnection plan more than a decade ago. An integrated European network would allow a greater resistance to adverse weather conditions, economic instability and manipulation by foreign partners. On the contrary, all EU countries have witnessed an increase in price caused by multiple factors. As mentioned earlier, the more time will employ European states to make significant investments, the more expensive will be the plane both in terms of implementation of that economy. The cost opportunities by waiting is expressed in rising prices and volatility in energy supplies. Also, since the EU has imposed stricter standards for carbon emissions, to achieve those goals without investing in a sustainable network will become much less practical. Finally, even if the EU decides to cut emissions by 95%, it would not have the proper infrastructure to allow renewable energy to reach the consumer. Figure [IV] Eurostat, Energy statistics DYNAMIC EUROPEAN ENERGY The current European Union was founded on the model of the Benelux Union (political and economic union of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) but includes several states of northern Europe, central, south and east. Although the European continent possesses a core of common values, the EU today includes a greater variety of economic, cultural and political. This growing 12
diversity of interests among the Member States has started to put some challenges in terms of cooperation. Among these challenges is the project Energy Union. For example, many states in Central Europe such as Poland, still depend on inefficient coal-fired power plants. About 90% of Polish electricity (and 70% of national carbon emissions) comes from coal fired power plants (IEA, 2011, Ottery, 2013). These plants produce a higher carbon footprint and lower power marginal product than natural gas plants, nuclear or hydro power in other countries. On the contrary, Germany, as already mentioned, has an economy and a far superior electrical network with a strict attention to renewable energy. Although an interconnection plan, would reduce the need of coal and allow the transmission of energy from more efficient central ester, such integration presents several problems. In cases like this, the countries with backward technology such as Poland, may be more interested in economic terms, to remain disconnected from the plane of Energy Union. The plan would see Poland reduce its production of coal and rely on electrical power plants of its neighbors. To the Polish people this could be a benefit with lower energy costs and greater efficiency but at the expense of jobs in plants currently in use. Poland has 56 coalfired power plants that contribute collectively annual carbon emission of 152 megatons, making it difficult to adapt to the EU for emissions abatement plan (Ottery, 2013). In 2012, the coal industry has contributed to the creation of over 113,000 jobs, while the brown coal to more than 15,000 (EURACOAL, 2013). The stringent carbon standards threaten the energy sector and the Polish economic vitality. Despite being geographically close to Poland, Germany has focused on renewable energy and the ability to share its energy production with Poland. Given the different ideologies of the countries on the concept of clean energy, Germany and Poland may not be able to easily reach a compromise on energy supply. It is possible that Germany insists on respect by Poland of strict environmental standards that could potentially harm its economy. At the same time, Poland could decide not to sacrifice his coal industry as it provides many jobs and income. In addition to these conflicting domestic policy objectives, the region is plagued by problems of trust between European states. Western countries still tend to have a questionable perception of the Eastern countries and their citizens. Sharing a critical resource like energy raises issues of trust between States at the time the business. While Germany might fear 13
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INTRODUCTION

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