13/02/2025 (Agence Europe) – A spokesperson for the European Commission did not rule out some form of gas price capping on Thursday 13 February, when asked about the possibility of including such a mechanism in the action plan for affordable energy prices, to be presented on 26 February. Several market players were opposed to this possibility (see EUROPE 13578/14), fearing that it would have a negative impact on the market. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen pointed out that the Market Correction Mechanism (MCM) had been put in place in 2022 as a crisis measure and was only intended to be used as such. Indeed, it expired on 31 January this year without ever having been activated. However, Ms Itkonen also noted that the MCM was “ a powerful and effective tool, which has made it possible to protect European households and consumers ”. She went on to conclude that “it is the College’s prerogative to determine what will ultimately be achieved in the action plan”. (PLD)