EU Commission president Jose' Barroso this morning told EU leaders meeting in a one-day summit in Brussels, that the EU must start thinking on creating a new EU energy super grid integrating all the energy produced by the various individual member states.

Mr Barroso said that investment in interconnectors is crucial in this area as consumers all over the EU could start benefitting from cheaper energy prices which he compared to almost ‘a second rent’ due to their volatility and current cost.

“Our energy market is still fragmented. Our enterprises waste money when they can not sell the energy they produce. And some of our consumers pay energy bills that are equal to a second rent,” he said.

“Investments in interconnectors open up new markets, which benefit our consumers. A European 'supergrid' is one of the answers to energy independence. We need to integrate supplies and consumers of energy throughout the continent. Let us connect "energy islands" with the rest of the EU, and complete the single market in energy as soon as possible,” he told the 27 leaders.

A similar appeal was made by European Parliament president Buzek.

The EU’s policy on energy and innovation are dominating today’s summit with leaders expecting to endorse plans so that by 2015 all ERU countries will be connected to the European grid. The current turmoil in Egypt and economic governance are also expected to be discussed during the summit.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is attending the summit.