Laura Van Lerberghe, edited by Yanis Darras 07:03, September 08, 2022
Faced with the energy crisis in which Europe is sinking, the European Commission has proposed capping the price of Russian electricity and gas.
Measures which should make it possible to protect the most vulnerable Europeans and to reduce Russia's income.
The measures will be discussed this Friday during an extraordinary council.
Fight against the explosion of energy prices.
This is the will of the European Commission, which wants to protect consumers.
To achieve this, Brussels wants to cap the price of electricity at 200 euros per MWh.
A ceiling already largely exceeded in France or Germany where the price of MWh exceeded 1,000 euros per MWh a few weeks ago.
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However, the Commission specifies that this cap will only apply to electricity produced at low cost.
Solar, wind and nuclear power are particularly concerned.
Gas-fired power plants are excluded from this system.
Russian gas in the crosshairs
Brussels also calls for taking part of the revenues of fossil fuel companies and redirecting their benefits to the most European and the most vulnerable.
Russian gas does not escape Brussels' radar.
Ursula von der Leyen wants to cap her price, thereby limiting Russia's income.
"We know that our sanctions are hurting the Russian economy very badly, with very negative consequences, but Putin manages to compensate a little with energy revenues. We therefore want to cut the resources that Putin uses to finance his atrocious war", a- she explained during a press conference.
Energy savings
"Our efforts have already paid off. At the start of the war, we imported 40% of Russian gas for our consumption, today we are at 9%", welcomed the President of the European Commission.
Finally, faced with the situation, Brussels also recommends saving energy, especially during peak hours.
These measures will be debated on Friday by the energy ministers of the European Union, during an extraordinary council.