“Our highest priority is EU prices and energy security”, stressed the Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simpson, informing the European Affairs, Production-Trade and Environment Committees of the Parliament, while praising our country for the implementation of green energy.
The Commissioner, responding to Members and MEPs, said that we are working intensively and preparing short-term, medium-term and long-term plans. Immediately, in order to be able to offer a targeted temporary relief to the final consumers. In the medium term, in the development of a strategy of autonomy and in the long term in the commitment we have made to become climate neutral.
In the proposal for a European price regulation, Ms. Simpson said that she believes that it is better for Member States to decide what are the best solutions for their consumers and to choose their energy mix as they have different structure and needs. He pointed out that the EU has stated that Member States can regulate energy prices for small businesses and households and that this is an existing option.
He agreed to a proposal for a European gas price cap as a solution, but said there were other solutions being considered and that a proposal from the Commission would be made in May, following reports from regulators.
The commissioner said that one thing we need to consider is how we can temporarily tax the profits generated by the extremely high electricity prices. We have published, he said, some terms and conditions that must be met by such financial instruments. We also saw revenues from SEDE, from last year, which were beyond expectations and can also be used. “So there are tools that Member States can use now and in the coming months,” Simpson said.
The commissioner said that yesterday they discussed with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy and some additional measures that can be taken at the national level. We need to look at some solutions that are more sustainable. Get ready for next winter. We propose a review of the European Union’s gas storage policy which will strengthen our security against possible supply disruptions in the future. That is why it is crucial to ensure that the gas storage facilities are full when the next heating season begins.
In proposing a “European economic tool to capture the cost of regulated prices” the commissioner assured that the European Commission was considering any additional economic mechanisms at European level, but said that the Council would need to give the mandate. to the European Commission to do so.
Ms Simpson said we were working on emergency measures to reduce the impact of gas prices on electricity prices.
He emphasized that Europe’s security of supply should be a top priority. We need to get rid of Russian imports as soon as possible, otherwise we will have to be prepared that there will be disruptions. It is not easy but we have a plan that includes: the diversification of logistics suppliers, the acceleration of RES and the improvement of the energy efficiency of the buildings.
Regarding Russian gas, the commissioner said that to be clear, we do not plan to replace this supply 100% with another gas from other suppliers. Of course, we have addressed our global partners from Norway to Algeria and from Qatar to Azerbaijan, as there is an additional availability from the US to deliver another 15 billion cubic meters this year and another 15 billion cubic meters in the coming years. In other words, we have set up a working platform with the participation of the Member States – the first meeting took place yesterday – so that we can use the gas market. With prices that will be negotiable. We are also partially replacing gas for electricity, and it is important to keep in mind that European funds are available to help Member States develop network interconnections between markets, such as € 677 billion for interconnection. Greece – Cyprus – Eurasia. Regarding EST MED, the commissioner said that we are financing some of his studies.
In her remarks to lawmakers on de-lignification, Ms Simpson said she understood that at the moment we were in an emergency, that some of the plans we had should be postponed for a short time, but if we stray from the goals that have been set. 2050, then we do not need the funds of the Fair Transition to support these affected areas to create new jobs there and to have the same people the same opportunities, he noted and added that with an EP proposal the EU supports these areas. There is no doubt, he said, that the times are problematic but I think it is important to maintain our unity and we must ensure and guarantee that the transition will take place in such a way that consumers and businesses can have a safe, economical and green energy.
As the commissioner pointed out, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is writing a new chapter for Europe’s energy security. An unpleasant truth is that we depend on Russia’s fossil fuels, which supply more than 40% of gas imports to the European Union, 27% of oil imports and 46% of coal imports. That needs to change. In the short term we need differentiation. We need to increase supplies of liquefied natural gas, he noted. On sustainability, he noted that we need to de-ligate ourselves if we are to secure our future. Either we will become green energy or we will not exist at all and he praised Greece because it has laid the foundations for a low carbon economy. You have made huge steps, said the commissioner. We also admire your ambitious goal of de-lignification.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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