The European Union has already spent more than €100 billion in additional energy costs this year despite importing the same volumes, while the upcoming winter could be challenging, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told journalists before an informal meeting of EU energy ministers in Dublin, Report informs.
"We have already exceeded €100 billion that we have paid additionally for energy supplies this year, without receiving a single additional molecule of gas or oil," Jorgensen said.
According to the commissioner, the situation demonstrates the vulnerability of the EU's dependence on external energy sources. While the bloc has significantly reduced its reliance on Russian energy, it remains exposed to fluctuations in global energy prices, affecting consumers and industry.
"The conclusion for me is very clear: we need to get rid of this dependency," Jorgensen said.
He said imported fossil fuels should be replaced with renewable energy and electricity produced in Europe. In this regard, the European Commission presented an electrification action plan earlier this year and is currently negotiating with the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on a package of measures concerning electricity grids.
Asked about a possible US ban on diesel fuel exports, Jorgensen said he had sent US Energy Secretary Chris Wright "a very clear signal" that such a measure would serve neither US nor EU interests.
"In these difficult times, it is in everyone's interest to have as free a flow of energy as possible," he said, adding that Wright himself does not support such a ban and has said so publicly.
Jorgensen also said he had instructed his services to examine the legal possibilities of postponing the entry into force of certain EU methane emissions regulation requirements concerning imports.
He said the review was prompted by difficulties faced by EU member states in implementing the requirements, with those countries asking the European Commission to examine the issue.
"We are entering a winter that currently looks so challenging that we want to eliminate any uncertainties that can be eliminated," the commissioner said, while stressing that the EU is not currently experiencing an energy crisis and does not expect supply security problems.
Jorgensen said a possible postponement would not mean weakening the EU's climate objectives. According to him, in such a case, EU countries would use the additional time to prepare for compliance with the requirements.
Any final decision on a possible postponement would require approval from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
"I want to emphasize that this in no way means abandoning our ambitions," Jorgensen said, describing EU methane legislation as among the most ambitious in the world.