Natural gas prices in Europe fell after the region’s leaders agreed on measures to contain the energy crisis, including a proposal to set price caps.
The European Council and the European Commission are also expected to submit a new complementary benchmark by early next year that “accurately reflects” conditions of the gas market. They have to provide a temporary EU framework to cap the price of gas in electricity generation.
The organizations also must suggest measures to improve how energy markets function so as to eliminate factors that “amplify” gas price volatility, increase market transparency, and alleviate liquidity stress.
EU leaders are seeking proposals for “voluntary joint purchasing of gas” among nations in the region as well as “energy solidarity measures” to deal with gas supply disruptions at the Union, regional, or national levels.
While speaking to reporters, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed doubts about the price-cap measures, saying that it is “very difficult to see” that such caps would be ready within the next few weeks.
Europe’s Gas Dependence
Europe is heavily reliant on Russia for gas, which makes it difficult for the region to completely extricate itself from this dependence. In 2021, Russia supplied EU nations with 40 percent of their required natural gas, with the region’s biggest economy, Germany, also the largest importer.“The best energy is the one that you produce at home,” and this involves a “strong restructuring” of the European economy,” Borrell stated.