[ad_1]
EU vitality ministers met for a rare council assembly to debate a unified European response to the vitality disaster and the rising probability of a complete Russian gasoline embargo this winter.
Talking on the finish of a “troublesome dialogue” on Friday (9 September), Czech trade minister Jozef Sikela outlined 4 probably measures that will probably be carried out “earlier than the tip of the month.”
These embrace a cap on extra revenues made by vitality firms, a plan to make use of much less electrical energy and gasoline, a solidarity “levy” on fossil gas firms and short-term liquidity help to struggling firms.
“Putin anticipated to divide us. He didn’t and won’t succeed,” Sikela additionally mentioned.
There was, nonetheless, a ways between Sikela’s account of the assembly and that of vitality commissioner Kadri Simson.
Whereas Simson left open the potential for a value restrict on Russian gasoline solely, Sikela mentioned a value restrict could be imposed on all imported gasoline.
Likewise, Belgian vitality minister Tinne van der Streaten tweeted “a transparent sign” was given to the fee that “all EU gasoline imports,” needs to be capped, not simply gasoline coming from Russia.
Simpson, nonetheless, mentioned, “nothing had been determined but.”
She additionally reminded the room {that a} value ceiling for all gasoline imports limits the EU’s potential to compete for abroad gasoline imports from non-Russian sources.
“A normal value cap may current a safety of provide problem, and LNG is a aggressive international market,” she mentioned. “Proper now, you will need to change Russian provide that will probably be wanted through the winter months.;”
She additionally mentioned the fee will “intensify” negotiations with member states “who’re most-dependent on Russian gasoline,” and who’re additionally more likely to oppose a value ceiling on Russian gasoline alone, frightened of repercussions.
As EU negotiators proceed to iron out variations, most particular person member states have already carried out help measures, which in line with assume tank Bruegel quantity as much as €400bn.
The options pursued by member states up to now differ wildly.
“I’m going to make some extent as we speak that we have to save vitality,” Dutch state secretary Hans Vijlbroek mentioned at arrival, some extent supported by the German and Irish vitality ministers.
Greece, which spends 3.7 % of its GDP in help measures to protect companies and households towards rising costs — greater than some other EU nation — has boosted the burning of highly-polluting lignite for energy manufacturing, from 10 to twenty %.
“Both we agree on a plan to assist households or we give up to the need of a totalitarian state,” Greek vitality minister Konstantinos Skrekas mentioned.
One other vitality assembly will probably be deliberate earlier than the tip of the month, Sikela mentioned.
[ad_2]
Source link
