The European Energy Ministers, meeting in Brussels on 17 March, gave their comments on the European Commission’s Action Plan for Affordable Energy (see EUROPE 13588/3) and held their first exchange under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU on energy security (see EUROPE 13593/12).
To bring about a structural reduction in energy prices, the ministers adopted a number of measures proposed by the European Commission, focusing on cross-border interconnections, the acceleration of the granting of permits, the flexibility of the European energy system and greater harmonisation in the area of capacity mechanisms (see EUROPE 13596/7, see EUROPE 13598/11).
Cross-border interconnections. A large majority of countries supported the need to strengthen interconnections in order to achieve a genuine Energy Union, and called for investment in network development to be maximised.
Several countries, such as Estonia, have asked for continued financial support for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as part of the negotiations for the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Others, such as Denmark, said they were looking forward to the Commission’s future European package for electricity networks.
However, Sweden considered that by placing disproportionate emphasis on interconnections, the Commission was “neglecting to take account of the total cost of the system for electrification”. Along with other advocates of nuclear power (see other news), the country has also called on the Commission to place greater emphasis on technological neutrality.
Countries such as Greece and Bulgaria have welcomed the fact that the Commission is taking into account the price disparities experienced in Central and South-Eastern Europe in the summer of 2024 (see EUROPE 13482/16), encouraging greater cross-border participation.
Energy taxation. Reacting to the ministers’ remarks, Commissioner Dan Jørgensen explained that he did not wish to interfere with national competences, particularly on the issue of reducing energy taxes as proposed in the Commission’s action plan.
“Ultimately, it will be up to (national) governments to choose this path if they so wish. It is our obligation as the Commission to formulate recommendations, guidelines, on what Member States can do if they wish to act unilaterally and not just depend on a broader solution emanating from the EU”, explained the Commissioner at a press conference.
While several countries have recognised the need to address the issue, none has made a clear commitment to take action on energy taxation.
Energy security. After their discussion on the action plan for affordable energy, the ministers exchanged views on the energy situation in Ukraine with the Ukrainian Energy Minister, German Galuschenko (see other news).
They also held an exchange of views on energy security, preceded by a working lunch devoted to critical infrastructures (see EUROPE 13600/2) and a presentation by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) on the development of the EU electricity and gas markets (see other news).
During the debate on security, the Polish Presidency for the first time collected the priorities of the Member States concerning the revision, from 2026, of the regulations on the security of gas supply and on risk preparedness in the field of electricity.
“We must insist on risk management. There must be fewer price rises, with long-term planning for gas purchases. We need to increase flexibility in terms of practices and storage. We also need to facilitate investment in order to bring prices down”, explained the Polish minister, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, at a press conference.
The Presidency is also expected to propose a further discussion at the June Energy Council on “a broader definition” of energy security, before reaching EU Council conclusions on the issue.
Other items. Other points on the agenda concerned preparations for winter 2025/2026, a note from the Baltic States on synchronising the Baltic with the continental European network (see EUROPE 13594/4) and a point from the Czech Republic, supported by Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, on simplifying the provisions of the delegated act governing ‘renewable’ hydrogen (see EUROPE 13599/22). (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)