The EC’s proposal aims to boost electrification, encouraging businesses and households to shift away from fossil fuels. (Source: Climate and Energy Coalition)
Governments have warned that Brussels’ plan exceeds its authority, undermining national autonomy in managing electricity tariffs and charges.
The EC’s proposal aims to boost electrification, encouraging businesses and households to shift away from fossil fuels. However, amid an energy crisis exacerbated by the Iran conflict, electricity prices in Europe are already double those in the US and China.
Most member states objected, arguing that the tax policy should be addressed through a revision of the Energy Tax Directive based on the principle of absolute consensus, rather than through a majority-based mechanism as proposed by the EC.
The most intense opposition centers on the EC’s desire to establish a common rule on electricity grid fees across the bloc. Many countries, such as Italy, France, Germany, and Finland, argue that this violates the principle of decentralization and does not reflect the differences in energy structures of individual member states.
However, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen defended the EC’s position, asserting that the proposal is legally sound and would bring direct bill reduction benefits to consumers.
According to a new international survey published by Mandate Research on the same day, while the majority of people in 10 countries are concerned about climate change, the Net Zero 2050 target is ranked among the lowest priorities. In the Netherlands , 54% of voters believe that environmental policies have worsened their lives.
This rate is also at 44% to 46% in France, Germany, Spain, and Hungary. Numerous protests against rising prices have recently erupted in Paris, Brussels, Rome, and Lisbon as the cost of living has skyrocketed.
Although the public continues to support renewable energy as a solution to lower electricity bills and reduce dependence on imported fuels, concerns about the EU’s transition roadmap are growing.
Many governments, led by Italy and the Visegrad Group (comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) and Greece, have proposed postponing the expansion of the ETS2 emissions trading system to the transport and housing sectors until 2030 to avoid creating further financial pressure.