The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote on Wednesday in a letter to EU leaders that “more ambitious gas saving commitments will have to be prepared“to ensure that the reduction in the price of gas does not increase consumption when the EU has to keep its supplies,” reports the Financial Times.
The letter that was sent to member states ahead of the informal leadership meeting in Prague this week, specifies four measures to reduce gas costs for consumers and businesses.
Von der Leyen said that recommends negotiating with “reliable suppliers”such as Norway and the US, which have increased their gas exports to the EU since Russia started cutting off supplies in retaliation for its support for Ukraine.
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“We should limit the inflationary impact of gas on electricity in Europe. Therefore, in addition to our actions on imported gas, we are ready to discuss the introduction of a temporary limiting the price of gas used to generate electricity. Such an agreed ceiling it would have to be designed not to increase gas consumption, “she wrote.
She expressed the belief that in addition to the previously mentioned actions investment must also be stepped up to accelerate the transition to energy independence.
“Investments in infrastructure such as pipelines, interconnectors or renewable energy sources and energy efficiency will help us all become less exposed to high fossil energy prices and support our strategic autonomy,” the head of the European Commission noted.
He also wants the commission to start work on a supplementary EU price index to better reflect Europe’s energy reality and provide a better-functioning market conducive to lower prices. “Until then, we should consider reducing the price in relation to the TTF in a way that still secures Europe’s gas supplies,” she postulated.
She stressed that We are again at a critical juncture and the energy crisis has entered a new stage. He argues that only a common European response can cut energy costs for families and businesses and ensure energy security for this and the coming winters.