INTRODUCTION

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
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