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Article 9 September 202221:45 Energy ministers meet in Brussels. European Commission to prepare proposals for solutions within days  © EU The Czech Presidency of the EU Council has convened an extraordinary Energy Council on Friday 9 September 2022. Under the chairmanship of the Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela, the ministers discussed the various options for a Europe-wide solution to the problem of high energy prices. The Council agreed on a task for the European Commission to issue legal proposals within days, which will then be approved by the Member States. The aim is to complete the whole legislative process as soon as possible. The ministers also agreed that one of the main measures to reduce pressure on energy prices is to reduce the demand for electricity. "I said today that we will do whatever it takes to protect our households and our industry from high energy prices. We don't have weeks, we have days. Together with the European Commission, we will come up with an immediate, concrete solution. And we will approve it by the end of September," says Minister of Industry and Trade, Jozef Síkela. The brief for the Commission, based on the Member States' positions, includes, for example, the possibility of using the excessive profits of electricity producers to finance measures to reduce the impact of high energy prices on citizens and businesses, and to invest in energy savings, renewable energy and other emission-free technologies. The temporary crisis framework allowing public support for companies affected by the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine should also be extended without further delay. The States also agreed on the need for the Commission to come up with a proposal to increase liquidity in the electricity market and safeguards against market manipulation. A number of Member States stressed the need to revise the overall functioning of the electricity market in the medium term to reflect the new market conditions. The Commission should also come up with a proposal for capping gas prices, the setting of which must not, however, jeopardise gas supplies to Europe, as instructed by the Member States. Some ministers raised the issue of emission allowances, and the debate is likely to focus on the release of allowances from the market reserve. The Czech Presidency is also discussing this topic in the framework of the informal ECOFIN Council meeting currently taking place in Prague. The European Commission is expected to prepare proposals within days and present them at the beginning of next week. The Czech Republic is ready to convene another extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers by the end of September. Ministers from other EU countries have also expressed their readiness to meet again to finally agree on common measures. |
Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 9 September 2022
Main results
EU energy ministers held two exchanges of views on the energy situation in the EU.
Measures to mitigate high energy prices
During the first discussion ministers expressed their preferences on different policy options to alleviate the burden of high energy prices on citizens, public services, businesses and industry, which could be implemented at the EU-level in a short timeframe.
Today, we managed to agree on a common direction for temporary emergency measures and give a clear task to the Commission to come forward with a robust and tangible proposal in a matter of days. We will do whatever it takes to help our citizens and companies who are facing high energy prices.Jozef Síkela, Czech minister of industry and trade
The discussion was based on a presidency note highlighting several options for short-term actions that could bring relief to the energy situation. The Commission also presented non-papers to delegations providing a preliminary assessment of options for emergency measures to reign in soaring electricity and gas prices.
The discussion conveyed four main areas in which the member states expect the Commission to act. These include capping the revenues of electricity producers that face low production costs; a possible price cap on gas; measures for a coordinated electricity demand reduction across the EU; measures that would help to solve the issue of decreased liquidity.
Ministers called for swift action and the presidency expressed its determination to handle the forthcoming Commission proposals in an expedite manner.
Preparedness for winter
Ministers then presented the state of play of the preparedness of their country for this winter. EU member states have carried out several actions both at national and EU level. They have in particular adopted a regulation to fill gas storages and share them in a spirit of solidarity, diversified supply sources and committed to reducing gas demand by 15% this winter. Despite recent developments, and in particular the cut of Russian gas flows via Nordstream I, Europe is prepared for this winter. EU underground gas reserves have been filled by 82.5% of their capacity, well ahead of the 1 November deadline set in the gas storage regulation.
The Council adopted without debate the list of ‘A-items’ listed below, including a proposal for a decision to suspend the visa facilitation agreement with Russia.Presidency summary
Energy prices and security of supply (background information)
Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response (background information)
EU response to Ukraine invasion (background information)Watch the recording of the public session
Meeting information
Meeting n°3893
Brussels
9 September 2022
10:00
Preparatory documentsList of A items, non-legislative activities
Provisional agenda
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants
Video footage
