Lowering energy prices calls for an EU-wide solution, said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Wednesday, promising the Belgian heads of government who gathered to discuss ways to address the energy crisis that he would continue to push the European Commission “as long as it is necessary”.
Belgium’s governments discussed on Wednesday what more could be done to deal with the sky-rising energy prices and help Belgians with their bills.
Even if Belgium is “in a good position” regarding energy supplies and should “get through the winter peacefully”, as a press release of the meeting states, the country still faces high prices. “The market no longer works”, and Belgium is expecting the EU to take action quickly, it adds.
De Croo, who attended the meeting, said that “only a European solution can lower energy prices” and promised to continue pushing Brussels. “If Belgium were to do it alone, it would not be efficient,” said the Prime Minister, who referred to the EU Energy Ministers meeting on 9 September as an “important moment.”
Other ministers agreed with the call to push the EU.
“Each of our governments made and will continue to make efforts. […] In the first place, we turn to the European level to bring gas prices back to reasonable levels […], And I believe that von der Leyen’s declarations are a step in this direction,” said Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon.
“This does not mean that we must rest and let Europe do everything,” he added.
“When it comes to [electricity] prices, the price of gas is the decisive element,” Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo said. “And we realise that 83% of the price is imposed by the suppliers. […] It is, therefore, at the level of the EU that action must be taken. But each one of our regions […] must do everything possible to lower prices.”
Meanwhile, the Belgian government devised a plan to help its citizens, aiming to reduce consumption and reduce VAT on electricity and gas. The project also aims to postpone mortgage payments to help the hardest hit households, and support Belgian businesses while encouraging investment in sustainable solutions.
At the EU level, Belgium will call for a reconsideration of this “paid-as-cleared” or “marginal pricing” principle.
Belgium, which earlier this year was declared by Eurostat to have the highest inflation rate for energy in the EU, has been pushing for an EU energy price cap since February.
De Croo, attending the Offshore Northern Seas Conference (ONS) in Norway on Monday (29 August), said that introducing a European price cap for natural gas can reduce the current uncertainty in the market. He called for EU countries to intervene in the “irrational” gas market.
“In Europe, there is a total disconnect between costs and prices. The market no longer works. That is why we must intervene.”
The Federal government will push for a reform of the energy market at the EU level and, notably, for price caps to limit irrational market behaviour.
Source: euractiv.com
