Energy poverty

15.10.2014

Question for written answer E-007986-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
José Blanco López (S&D)

Directive 2009/72/EC recognises the existence of energy poverty and makes Member States responsible for developing ‘national action plans or other appropriate frameworks’ to tackle the issue, with a view to reducing the number of people affected. In concrete terms, the directive provides for the ‘prohibition of disconnection of electricity’ to ‘vulnerable’ customers in ‘critical times’.

Despite the increase in electricity prices and the very high level of unemployment in the country, the Spanish Government recently acknowledged, in response to a question posed by a socialist MP, that the number of persons eligible for the discount rate for electricity has fallen by more than 200 000 over the past two years.

1. What view does the Commission take of the fact that the number of persons eligible for the discount rate has fallen at a time of serious economic crisis?

2. What means does the Commission have at its disposal, or what measures does it intend to take, to guarantee that the above directive is complied with?

3. Does the Commission intend to encourage coordinated action to combat energy poverty in the EU?