Brussels, 17 March 2025
Action plan for affordable energy
Following a presentation by the Commission and on the basis of a background note prepared by the presidency, ministers publicly exchanged views on the action plan for affordable energy, which was adopted by the Commission on 26 February as part of the clean industrial deal. The action plan sets out measures to lower energy costs, complete the Energy Union, attract investment and prepare for potential energy crises.
Ministers welcomed the action plan for affordable energy, with several stressing the need to act fast. In their discussion, ministers focused on mid-term to long-term measures proposed, including the completing of a genuine Energy Union. They also requested more clarity on short-term measures to reduce energy prices, such as taxation and charges, marking that these were national level competences.
Some ministers commented on the possible better interconnections through the modernisation and expansion of grids and interconnectors. They highlighted the importance of faster permitting, not necessarily requiring new legislation but a better use of existing frameworks. Several stressed the need for decoupling electricity prices from gas prices and also showed openness to further discussions on facilitating capacity markets.
Several ministers welcomed the technology neutrality mentioned in the action plan for affordable energy, while others expressed a preference for focusing on the rapid development of renewable energy sources instead. The pilot programme of the European Investment Bank for power purchase agreements and longer-term contracts, as announced in the action plan, was also raised and welcomed during the debate, as a means to stabilise energy prices.
The Council concluded that they will continue their efforts to deliver more affordable prices and to strengthen the Energy Union.
Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Polish Minister for Environment and Climate, said:
Today’s meeting highlighted the vital importance of energy security — a fundamental pillar of a true Energy Union. As a priority of the Polish Presidency, energy security is essential to ensuring stable and affordable energy for households and industries, which is crucial for strengthening the EU’s competitiveness. We have also launched a discussion on a forward-looking energy security framework. This framework will safeguard our economy, citizens, and both physical and cyber infrastructure.
The EU’s energy security architecture
Ministers discussed the state of play of and the way forward on the EU regulations on security of gas supply and electricity risk preparedness, which are key elements of the EU’s energy security framework.
They focused on how that framework could be made more robust and dynamic in order to address existing and new energy security challenges which may impact EU citizens’ welfare and undermine the EU’s economy and competitiveness.
Many ministers referred to lessons learnt from the energy crisis, in particular on the need to act in a united and coordinated manner and to focus on diversification. Ministers stressed the need to adapt the two regulations to the new security and market conditions and to broaden their scope accordingly, to address present and future geopolitical challenges and extreme climate events. Most ministers did not favour the option of a single legislative framework for both gas and electricity sectors but stressed the need for a harmonised approach.
A number of ministers pointed out to the need to present, as soon as possible, the REPowerEU roadmap aimed at the full phase out of Russian fuels import to the EU.
Some ministers mentioned the need for flexibility as regards the proposed gas storage regulation, which is currently being discussed, as well as for a rigorous impact assessment of the rules. This proposal is meant to bridge the gap between the end of the current gas storage regulation and the entry into force of a potential more permanent framework on gas security of supply.
Energy ministers also exchanged views on measures to strengthen surveillance and better protect critical energy infrastructure in Europe, including repairing damaged infrastructure in the event of its destruction as well as natural disasters, in which the EU can play a greater role.
This exchange of views will pave the way for the approval of Council conclusions at the meeting of the Energy Council in June.
- Regulation on gas security of supply
- Regulation on risk preparedness in the electricity sector
- Commission proposal on extending the gas storage regulation by two years
- Council adopts regulation on gas storage (press release, 27 June 2022)
Energy situation in Ukraine
The Ukrainian energy minister, German Galushchenko, briefed ministers on the energy situation in Ukraine. Minister Galushchenko repeated the call for more air defence and electronic warfare tools, as well as for inexpensive but effective passive protection solutions. Renewable deployment, decentralised generation, and integration with the EU energy market are underway.
Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia has relentlessly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russian attacks on energy production and transmission systems have resulted in the loss of 60% of generation facilities and 63630 damages to energy facilities since 2022.
Ministers reaffirmed their continued support and full solidarity for Ukraine and their commitment to ensuring that the Ukrainian people have access to energy and heating. They welcomed further steps for Ukraine’s integration within the European energy market.
Critical infrastructure
During an informal lunch, energy ministers discussed critical infrastructure and how to protect it, together with the president of ENTSO-G and the chair of the board of ENTSO-E – the European networks of transmission system operators for gas and electricity respectively.
Other business
Ministers were briefed by Christian Zinglersen, director of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators on EU electricity and gas market developments. The presentation included competitiveness challenges in the EU gas market, electricity and gas price trends and the need for further cross-border planning and cooperation.
The Commission provided information on the EU’s preparedness for the next winter season.
In public session, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania presented information on the successful synchronisation of the Baltic electricity systems with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area, which had taken place on 9 February 2025. The Baltic states were the last three EU member states whose electricity networks were still operating fully within the Russian and Belarussian system. Synchronisation increased the security of energy supply and strengthened the independence of the Baltic region. The three member states stressed the importance of implementing the remaining aspects of the synchronisation project, which is crucial for the completion of our Energy Union.
Czechia stressed the challenges in implementing the requirements of the delegated act on renewable fuels of non-biological origin and development of the hydrogen economy, which had been adopted by the Commission on 10 February 2023 and which defines the conditions under which hydrogen, hydrogen-based fuels, or other energy carriers can be considered as renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO).
- How much gas have the EU countries stored? (infographic)
- Energy prices and security of supply (background information)
Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Source – EU Council