EU Energy Sovereignty (cepAdhoc)

"The Commission wants to set price limits for energy throughout the EU. We don't think much of that. It makes more sense to provide targeted financial support to households with low and medium incomes as well as to companies in difficulty," says cep energy expert Götz Reichert, who analysed the EU Commission's plans, which were controversially discussed by the heads of state and government in Versailles on 10 March 2022, with economists Svenja Schwind and Martin Menner.

In order to make Europe's energy supply independent of fossil fuel imports from Russia, the cep advocates the temporary, increased use of coal of non-Russian origin. "This measure will not have any climate-damaging effects. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme will prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions by capping total emissions," Martin Menner emphasises.

Nevertheless, the cep experts are sceptical. "Even if all EU plans are actually implemented, it will be not possible to replace Russian imports by the end of this year. Business and consumers will have no choice but to save energy. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already called on citizens to do so," emphasises Svenja Schwind.