The European Union is considering joint purchases of gas and reducing consumption
Each subsequent step to reduce heating and electricity prices becomes more and more difficult, because the quick and easy solutions have already been exhausted. Furthermore, European countries are in different situations, so what could help one could harm the other.
Therefore, the European Commission is currently working mainly on measures that reduce consumption and promote joint gas supply.
On the other hand, for those who have applied loudly gas price ceiling conflicting opinions prevail. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó opposes setting a maximum price for Russian gas, as Hungary continues to receive it. “The Russians have made it clear that if there is a cap on the price of gas, they will cut off supplies. It will threaten our security of supply. So obviously we will not support it.”
The idea that the EU can unilaterally fix the price of gas not even the Norwegian government. The energy minister of this Scandinavian country, Terje Oslann, would prefer to fix prices in long-term supply contracts. “The Norwegian government does not support a ceiling for the price of gas. In our opinion, this situation should be resolved by commercial means.”
The Austrian Minister of Energy and Climate Leonore Gevesler also sees negotiations and diplomacy as a solution. “I want to strongly urge the European Commission to take a logical step, which is to start talking to our trusted suppliers like the US, Norway and Qatar. These countries can reduce the pressure on supplies and prices. So this is a logical first step. this should be taken “.
The Latvian government, on the other hand, is not opposed to the price ceiling, but, as the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Economy Andris Čuda (National Union) admitted, it would be more rational to think of joining forces for the supply of gas.
“Security of supply may not be that important this winter.
As most countries have already presented, the gas deposits are full. Including this, we in Latvia can say that we have no worries about this winter.
But we are very worried about the coming winter and the deliveries that should start in the spring and what the competition will be like for them. Therefore, a joint procurement agreement would be a more realistic solution than the final determination of price caps. “
Sven Giegold, German Deputy Minister of Economy and Climate, urges not to sweat. According to him, it is necessary to think about the decoupling of gas and electricity prices, as well as the change of other market formulas.
“There is understandable frustration in those European regions where the price of gas may be lower because they have enough gas and cannot export more because their interconnections are fully charged. Germany understands that countries that export as much gas possible while being able to meet its demand, it should not pay the price that comes from the lack of this resource, “said Giegold.
These discussions are expected to become more concrete next week, as the European Commission will present new proposals to reduce gas and electricity prices.
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