SGI Europe: Key Messages ahead of the Extraordinary Energy Council of 30 September 2022

Ahead of the extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council on 30 September 2022, SGI Europe and its members, providers of services of general interest in sectors such as energy, housing, waste, water, telecommunications, healthcare or social services, call on EU institutions to deliver results to shield citizens and economic actors from the consequences of the ongoing Russian war.

Commenting on the recent developments, Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary of SGI Europe, said:

“Despite its costs in those challenging and uncertain times, SGI Europe calls for the EU to implement in full the EU Green Deal by promoting renewable and low-carbon technologies, reducing electricity and energy demand and investing in sustainable energy supplies.
The current exceptionally high energy and electricity prices make the EU Green Deal more relevant than ever. It emphasises the need for further long-term support to citizens and SGIs in core energy-intensive sectors such as energy utilities, which now face severe liquidity risks, public transport, or social housing.”

“The recent development around critical pipeline infrastructures, and the added volatility they bring, call for urgent decisions to find temporary solutions. Despite the need to maintain supplies subject to international competition, capping gas prices – with compensation mechanisms in place to shelter energy utilities, especially at local level – should be envisaged. Such price cap should guarantee predictability for citizens and enterprises, but can in no circumstances encroach on the long-term objective of reducing gas consumption.”

“In the medium-term, joint procurement for EU gas purchases should be further encouraged to take advantage of an EU common negotiating stance. At the same time, we also call on the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework to be prolonged to allow further support to enterprises affected.”

(photo: Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, and Jozef Sikela, Minister for Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, on 9 September 2022 - Copyright: European Union)