In December 2022, under Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, EU Member States adopted three emergency regulations in response to the turbulence in the energy market caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine to strengthen solidarity between Member States in gas supply, accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and protect EU citizens from excessively high energy prices. During the TTE Council meeting, EU Ministers of Energy agreed to extend them.

Increasing solidarity

The discussions concerned several vital topics, including Regulation (EU) 2022/2576. This Regulation, of paramount importance, is designed to curb the escalation of energy prices and bolster the reliability of gas supply.

We recognise the need for solidarity in terms of energy security. We are well prepared for the winter season in terms of the filling level of the warehouses and the infrastructure required to diversify supply. However, we understand that the closer EU countries cooperate, the more secure our gas market is. Poland is therefore in favour of extending the regulation by one year

- said the Deputy Minister for Climate and Environment, Miłosz Motyka.

Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy

Deputy Minister Motyka also advocated the extension of Regulation (EU) 2022/2577, which establishes a framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions.

Poland supports extending the legislation to facilitate permitting for renewable energy deployment. We believe that this will contribute to increasing the share of renewables in gross final energy consumption in the EU. We support the reduction of administrative burdens and the use of the potential of European entrepreneurs

- said the Deputy Minister.

Protecting citizens from energy price spikes

The Deputy Minister also stressed the need to extend Regulation (EU) 2022/2578 on the establishment of a market correction mechanism to protect Union citizens and the economy from excessively high prices.

Although gas prices have come down, and we are in a much more comfortable situation compared to last winter, gas markets in the EU still show limited flexibility. There is a risk of a supply shock that could lead to a sudden speculative price increase. For these reasons, Poland supports the initiative of the European Commission and the Presidency to extend the market correction mechanism by one year

- he said.

Other topics and international meetings

On the sidelines of the Council meeting, the Deputy Minister attended a meeting of the European Nuclear Alliance and met with a German delegation led by Sven Giegold, Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Moreover, Poland has joined the Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition. The initiative aims to provide a framework for financial institutions to work together and facilitate investment in energy efficiency.

During the Council meeting, Poland also signed a declaration on Wind Energy Charter and a political declaration on efforts to synchronise the Baltic States' electricity system with the continental system.