15/06/2022 (Agence Europe) – Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson announced the launch of a “process of impact assessment and large consultation on the optimization of the functioning of the European electricity market”, including the effect of gas prices on it, on Tuesday 14 June, during a debate with the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). This announcement comes a few days after President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen made particularly critical remarks about the electricity market (see EUROPE 12969/11). In addition, the Commission is finalising the updated impact assessment for the proposed new renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, Simson said, assuring that it will be delivered at the end of this week (see EUROPE 12955/4, 12951/3). The Commissioner also indicated that the level of gas storage in the EU is currently at 50.2% of capacity, compared to 44.7% at the same time last year. (DG)