STRASBOURG, FRANCE / RankWire.AI / – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined plans for a more unified approach to EU energy purchasing amid escalating fuel costs across member states. She indicated that a newly established task force would consolidate energy demands from various countries and designate a market operator to oversee joint procurement activities. This initiative aims to advance beyond the existing system of individual buyers and sellers. Von der Leyen revealed these measures during a European Parliament session prior to the European Council’s scheduled meeting on October 15 and 16.
According to von der Leyen, European gas prices have surged by 140% since the end of February, with diesel prices doubling. She highlighted that the increased costs of imported fossil fuels have added roughly €100 billion to Europe’s energy expenditure without boosting overall energy intake. The European Commission is considering extending a temporary state aid framework to support industrial sectors under significant pressure, along with targeted assistance for vulnerable households. She pointed to energy voucher initiatives in France and Romania as examples of such support measures.
In addition, the Commission is pairing its procurement proposal with initiatives aimed at energy supply and refining. On October 2, G7 members agreed to release 100 million barrels through the International Energy Agency over four months, emphasizing a large diesel release during the initial 20 days. The European Commission will also grant exporters an extra year of flexibility under EU methane regulations. Von der Leyen stated that this move would help reduce additional costs during the current market strain.
Focus shifts to supply coordination
The European Commission plans to initiate a strategic dialogue with European refineries to address issues related to costs and supply security. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius will lead the discussions. Von der Leyen noted that the dialogue would also encompass supply requirements for defense. She also highlighted significant disparities across national energy markets, mentioning that electricity prices can vary from about €145 per megawatt-hour in one member state to around €70 in another, depending on the energy mix.
The new joint EU energy procurement mechanism builds on the collective buying strategies introduced after Russia drastically reduced gas supplies in 2022. During that period, the EU pooled demand and united European buyers to secure energy supplies. Von der Leyen pointed out that Russian gas once made up 45% of EU gas imports but has now fallen to 12%. The Commission’s goal under its current energy policy is to eliminate Russian gas imports completely by the end of 2026.
Electrification remains a key element of EU strategy
Von der Leyen also linked immediate measures to the EU’s long-term transition toward domestically produced clean electricity. She emphasized that over 70% of EU electricity now originates from renewable and nuclear sources, including wind and solar, which generated more power than all fossil fuels combined last year. During that period, Europe added more than 80 gigawatts of renewable capacity, yet projects totaling roughly six times that amount are still waiting for grid connection.
Currently, electricity accounts for less than 25% of the EU’s final energy consumption. The Commission’s electrification plan aims to double that share by 2040. Von der Leyen projected that increasing electrification could reduce annual fossil fuel imports by as much as €260 billion. The European Commission intends to implement additional policies to support this transition in the coming months. Additionally, EU leaders will discuss rising energy prices, supply security, and broader economic challenges during their meetings on October 15 and 16.