Brussels, 16/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - In conclusions adopted on Friday 13 June and following an analysis presented in January by the Commission by request of the European Council of May 2013 (see EUROPE 11002), the Energy Council has identified three main areas for action to tackle the common challenges of reducing the prices and costs of energy and protecting vulnerable consumers: the single energy market, the external dimension and consumers. Although it sees energy efficiency is an essential means of reducing costs, the Council stresses several options to help vulnerable consumers and fight energy poverty.
As regards the single market, the Council reaffirms the urgent need to complete the integration of energy markets in 2014 and to develop inter-connections between the member states so as to end, by 2015, the isolation of any member state from the European gas and electricity networks. It calls for the effective application and implementation of new, inexpensive measures to ensure energy efficiency throughout the energy chain. All of the sectors concerned are called upon to reduce their energy consumption by improving energy efficiency, through cost-effective energy saving measures.
Externally, the Council stresses the importance of guaranteeing fair conditions of competition and plugging existing gaps with third-country competitors in terms of energy prices. It also calls for a consistent approach to external energy relations. Lastly, the Council calls on the Commission and the member states to look into the possibilities of increasing the bargaining power of the EU and its member states with external suppliers.
The Council stresses the need to reinforce the role and rights of consumers and to make them aware of energy saving. In order to fight energy precariousness and help vulnerable consumers, the Council lays emphasis on promoting energy efficiency and energy savings as a key element in protecting consumers in the long term. It calls for measures to be focused on consumers who need the most support. The Council also stresses the need to identify vulnerable consumers in order to reach a common vision of factors which may increase the risk of consumers becoming vulnerable on the energy market. There is also a need for rules to prevent a disproportionate disconnection from the energy supply. The Council calls for improved access to useful information, to give customers a choice between more suppliers and to make it easier for them to change supplier.
The Commission will carry out a follow-up of this dossier by 2016. (EH)