Today (13 April), EU Commissioners met to discuss the energy situation In view of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen presented a range of measures that will be presented to heads of government at an informal European Council meeting in Cyprus next week, writes Catherine Feore.
Von der Leyen said the latest energy crisis has added more than €22 billion to the EU’s fossil fuel import bill in just over six weeks, with “not a single molecule of energy in addition”, highlighting the economic strain caused purely by price spikes and supply uncertainty.
In response, the European Commission is preparing a package of emergency and structural measures. A central priority is stronger coordination between Member States. “Unity is our strength,” von der Leyen said, pointing to joint gas purchasing efforts that have already aggregated significant volumes. The Commission now plans to coordinate gas storage filling and oil stock releases to avoid countries competing against each other in global markets.
Helping vulnerable and energy dependent sectors
At the same time, while governments will want to shield vulnerable households and industries from soaring energy costs, von der Leyen emphasized that support must be “targeted, timely and temporary”, avoiding broad subsidies while delivering rapid relief, she emphasized that these should be limited in scope.
In addition, more flexible state aid rules are expected to be introduced within weeks to give national governments further room to act.
Curbing demand
Reducing energy demand is another immediate focus. “The least expensive energy is the energy that is not used,” she noted, highlighting efficiency measures such as building renovations and industrial upgrades as key tools to ease pressure on supply.
Beyond short-term fixes, the Commission is working on reforms to reduce structural energy costs. This includes adjustments to the EU’s carbon market to improve stability and predictability, as well as upcoming proposals on electricity taxes and grid charges.
However, von der Leyen made clear that the deeper lesson of the crisis is Europe’s continued reliance on fossil fuels. “We are paying a very high price for our over-dependency,” she said.
The Commission’s long-term strategy centers on accelerating the transition to domestically produced clean energy. Renewables and nuclear power already generate more than 70% of EU electricity, but further investments in grids, storage and electrification are needed. “The only lasting way out… is to modernize,” von der Leyen said, calling for a rapid shift toward electrification across industry, transport and heating.
With additional EU funding and efforts to mobilize private investment, Brussels hopes to turn the current crisis into a catalyst for a more resilient and independent energy system.
PHOTO: European Commission President von der Leyen statement on energy measures Photographer: Dati Bendo © European Union
