The EU puts "a temporary emergency intervention" on track to stop the extraordinary benefits of electricity companies

The Ministers of Energy of the 27

have agreed this Friday on the main lines of the

that they are going to carry out in the coming weeks.

But although the aspirations are defined,

, such as the reduction of national consumption and liquidity lines and reduction of collaterals for the solvent operators that are most threatened by the crisis,

For the rest, it will take a left hand, negotiation, and the different positions seem to point to voluntary, flexible measures, with many exceptions.

"It has not been an easy discussion and it will not be the last, but we have managed to find a clear direction" has pointed out the Commissioner for Energy,

.

Governments believe the way forward is

companies , both fossil fuel and

On those there seems to be quite a consensus, from north to south and from east to west.

For the fossils they speak of a "solidarity contribution" and the others of a ceiling on their income.

It may be that more income is generated for the public coffers or that companies choose not to pass on increases to prices.

Next Tuesday the Commission, taking note of these conclusions, will make public a

, and before the end of the month

will be convened with the ministers of the branch to try to approve it.

The choreography was clear for a long time.

Today a political message, guidelines, red lines were sought, but there could be no decisions without a formal proposal on the table.

And nobody wanted, as happened in the past, for the Commission to launch itself without having the fringes properly tied, provoking angry responses, as happened for example in July when it

which which provoked the

After the meeting it seems that the governments today

and ask that formulas be explored.

This is the most delicate part.

The summary text written by the Czech presidency indicates that the ministers now invite the Commission to

That could range from something akin to the Iberian exception, as Spain insists, to something completely different.

Germany or the Netherlands, very reluctant to radical interventions or a total decoupling that endangers the market, are not enthusiastic.

Not even the Commission itself, which is the one that must do the technical work, as Simson has dropped.

The Spanish vice-president,

and its proper functioning have been recognized

, and several countries have even asked to apply it in their market. Our assessment is that if they have a high percentage of renewables, it works, but where the percentage of electricity generation that comes from fossil fuels is high it will not work, and it is difficult, it cannot be extended France or Romania could be interested, but

, being generous,

.

If half of Europe is an "exception" it would be very difficult for the market to function, since border adjustments would be in chaos.

There are other options, such as the so-called contracts for differences.

But it seems like one of the most technically complicated parts of the proposal that the Commission must make on Tuesday.

Limit Russian gas imports

has also been discussed at the meeting

.

According to Ribera, "

only one country does not share the idea, but there is consensus" in

because the "speculative behavior" detected is of great concern.

But there are problems.

There are partners who see it as too dangerous or a nuisance, especially when

who enters the EU.

Others want the cap to be for everyone, including partners like Norway or Algeria.

Or that it also affects liquefied gas, although there the risk of ships being diverted is real.

"It is perhaps the most open point," the Spanish vice president acknowledged.

"Four of the five proposals we can accept with minor modifications, but that will not solve the problem and the threats to energy security.

," said the

whose government is the Russia's main ally from the beginning in everything that has to do with energy or sanctions.

The Council also calls for clear guidelines for a

, especially at

.

And they will multiply the

in the sector that are experiencing financial difficulties due to the rise in prices and the increase in collateral that they have to present.

"We believe that the proposal is interesting, but the impact varies from country to country depending on the elasticity of demand. The Commission must introduce a margin of flexibility," said Ribera.

"It is important to have an overview of, see case by case and that there are no distortions that hinder the achievement of the objective or the viability of the productive fabric", she has settled.

Simson explained at the end of the meeting that his team will establish a

that produce energy without gas (renewable or nuclear, for example) and to redistribute that income among consumers.

"We need instruments that ensure a

that the energy sector is enjoying ... Next week we will make unprecedented proposals for an unprecedented situation."

The twist, in the speech, the approach, the language, the ambition, is striking.

A year ago there were jokes, ridicule and disrespect for those who called for "bold measures", like Spain.

Now, on the other hand,

The Hague and Berlin do not want to blow up the market, but their positions have lost strength.

"There is unanimous agreement that there is a need for intervention mechanisms in the wholesale electricity market", the Spanish vice-president celebrated.

"I am satisfied because today

and that

.

It was impeccable but it was very distorted and it has been revealed today.

The market does not offer what was expected and technical neatness must be complemented with a political will to help citizens.

What was a complicated debate a year ago today was a premise supported by all.

It was a shame to lose this year but the important thing is that there is a consensus today, it is a total change of terms", he celebrated.

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