LUXEMBOURG (dpa-AFX) – For the time being, the EU countries have not come to a definitive conclusion in the debate about reforming the electricity market. Contrary to what was initially assumed, they were unable to agree on a common position in Luxembourg on Monday. One of the controversial issues was how details of so-called Contracts for Difference should be handled. The reform of the electricity market aims to avoid high prices for consumers and to promote the expansion of renewable energies.
According to EU diplomats, the debates about the differential agreements are, among other things, about fears that they could give the French nuclear industry disproportionate favor. Accordingly, Germany and France are primarily opposed to each other on this issue. At the meeting chaired by the Swedish EU Council Presidency, the states initially struggled to reach an agreement for longer than expected. The presidency among the EU countries and thus also at meetings of the ministers changes every six months.
The Swedish Energy Minister Ebba Busch demanded of her colleagues: “Don’t try to block the power generation of others.” More electricity must be generated without fossil energy – no matter where it comes from. A level playing field must be respected. Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck had expressed optimism before the meeting. He spoke of solvable questions.
The EU Commission proposed the reform in March. Above all, long-term contracts for electricity generation from renewable energies and nuclear power are to be promoted. The EU states and the European Parliament are currently discussing the proposal and must finally agree on a legal text./mjm/DP/nas