It will probably not be enough as bills explode within the European Union, but it is a common first step.
This Friday, European energy ministers reached an agreement on emergency measures to help households and businesses crushed by inflation.
Officials validated proposals presented in mid-September by the European Commission, aimed at recovering part of the "superprofits" of energy producers to redistribute them to consumers, and imposing a reduction in electricity demand during peak hours. point.
But they are still divided on a cap on the price of gas imports, which comes up against German reluctance in particular.
"There is no time to lose" to bring down the price of gas, urged Czech Energy Minister Jozef Sikela, whose country holds the EU Council Presidency.
Ceiling for renewables and nuclear
Recent leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, denounced by the EU as acts of "sabotage", have further increased tension in the European bloc, already shaken by soaring prices linked to the war triggered by Russia in Ukraine.
The emergency measures approved on Friday set a binding target for states to reduce their electricity consumption "by at least 5%" during peak hours.
The Twenty-Seven are also called upon to reduce their monthly electricity consumption by 10%, an indicative objective.
Another measure: the ceiling on the income of electricity producers from nuclear and renewables (wind, solar, hydroelectric) who reap exceptional profits by selling their production at a price much higher than their production costs.
A “temporary solidarity contribution”
This ceiling is set at 180 euros per megawatt hour and the difference between this level and the wholesale market price must be recovered by the States to be redistributed to households and businesses.
A “temporary solidarity contribution” also applies to producers and distributors of gas, coal and oil.
In total, revenues of around 140 billion euros could thus be donated, according to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
But a majority of Member States - fifteen, including France, Belgium, Italy and Spain - believe that the "most serious problem" still needs to be tackled: they are calling for a cap on wholesale prices gas on the European market.
European dissensions on gas
These countries want the measure to apply to all gas imports, not just those from Russia.
For the Czech Minister, the Commission must act quickly: “We are in an energy war with Russia, winter is coming and we must act now (…), not in a month.
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The Community executive, like Germany, is reluctant to put in place such a measure, fearing that a price limitation will threaten the supply of Europeans, by dissuading "reliable partners" such as Norway or the United States. to deliver gas to the EU for the benefit of other destinations.
Estonian Minister Riina Sikkut also came out against this idea, saying that “the availability of gas and the security of supply were more important than the price”.
The gas nerve of war
In a preparatory document, the Commission proposed setting a maximum price for Russian gas – transported by pipeline or liquefied natural gas (LNG) – which currently accounts for 9% of European imports.
Russia was historically the EU's biggest gas supplier, bringing more than 40% of the gas to the bloc.
To lower prices, Brussels is betting on negotiations with other suppliers of gas transported by pipeline, but believes that for LNG, the ability to negotiate is limited by international competition.
The Commission is also considering capping the price of gas used for electricity generation.
These options are being discussed by the ministers and should give rise to a more detailed plan, before a summit of the leaders of the 27 on October 7 in Prague and a new meeting of energy ministers on October 11 and 12.
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