In view of the extremely complicated energy situation in which the European Union finds itself following the reduction in Russian gas supplies, the Czech Presidency of the EU Council “will convene an urgent meeting of energy ministers (of Member States)”, said Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Twitter on Friday 26 August, after consulting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The purpose of the meeting will be to “discuss specific emergency measures” to help Member States respond to rising energy prices in the EU and the risks to energy security in some Member States during the coming winter.
The announcement comes as wholesale electricity prices for 2023 in Germany and France set new records on Friday at €850 and more than €1,000 per megawatt-hour (MWh) respectively, according to AFP.
A year ago, the prices for these two countries were around €85/MWh.
The sharp rise in electricity prices is largely due to the surge in gas prices to more than €300/MWh (compared with €40/MWh at this same time last year).
In addition to the reduction in Russian gas supplies, a number of events have aggravated the EU’s energy situation, such as the shutdown of nuclear power plants in France due to corrosion problems, issues with the transport of coal by inland waterways, and reduced hydroelectricity production due to drought.
While the date of the meeting had not yet been announced at the time of going to press, the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Sikela, said in a tweet that the ministers should meet “as soon as possible”. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)