Every second rushes by. The 15 countries that signed a letter a few months ago calling for gas price caps met this Tuesday morning, primarily with Germany and the Netherlands, whose governments are the most vocal opponents of capping. A meeting with Berlin and The Hague will take place after the 15th meeting, Monday night, until 1:30 am, as elDiario.es has learned, to reaffirm their positions and prepare the EU Energy Council necessary to reach an agreement. It dragged on for months.
This Tuesday’s meeting comes after Spain and the countries that defend the gas limits stood down at the last energy council meeting on November 24 and refused to approve two agreed files – boosting renewable energy with flexible environmental standards and joint gas purchases. More specifically, reject the European Commission’s proposal for an inappropriate gas threshold: €275 MW/h for two weeks; When prices on the Dutch TTF are EUR 58 above the international reference price for liquefied natural gas for 10 consecutive business days within two weeks.
The Czech Presidency, in turn of the Council of the European Union, proposed a proposal of 220 Euro MW/h; A difference of €35 and five days, which Spain and its allies continue to deny.
In his speech to his colleagues this Tuesday, Ribera insisted on Spain’s commitment to a dynamic corridor – not a fixed price ceiling that could end up at a minimum price – and the determination of excessive prices, while the August peak was largely the result. German stocks for their winter reserves.
The vice president also called for the mechanism to be launched as soon as possible, acknowledging that positions are shifting between capitals to reach an agreement from opposite starting points.
Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told the EU Council: “Everything is very clear, but because we have to find an agreement, everyone has to show some flexibility and be able to offer some compromises. I hope that the ministers will have a very constructive discussion that will lead to a solution with the widest possible support among the member states. This will be another step for better preparation for the coming winter.”
The Czech industry minister, Jozef Sikela, whose country is leading the negotiations as the EU’s rotating chairmanship, said: “We have been working for the last few days, day and night and on weekends, and I have been working hard. We believe that we have a valid proposal that guarantees all member states. Now it is entirely in the hands of the ministers to demonstrate whether they are ready to reach an agreement or not.”
Sikela recalled that the energy ministers will meet again on the 19th, the date when the regular energy council is scheduled.
Source: El Diario
