Legal options for a Member State to withdraw from the European electricity market
12.3.2025
Question for written answer E-001057/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)
Since the 2022 energy crisis, several political parties and national governments have expressed concerns about how the European electricity market is operating, asserting that it is ineffective in guaranteeing stable and affordable prices for consumers. Some are calling for a partial or total withdrawal from this market as part of a move towards regulating electricity generation and distribution at the national level. This is a market based on the rules of integration and free competition established by a number of directives and regulations, in particular Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for electricity and Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity.
Some political commentators have countered this by claiming that it is not possible to leave this market without risking fines.
- 1.Therefore, can the Commission specify the legal provisions that would enable a Member State to withdraw from the European electricity market while remaining in the European Union?
- 2.Would such a move be incompatible with the current internal market rules and Member States’ commitments with regard to competition and the energy transition?
- 3.Lastly, is the Commission considering proposing a reform of the electricity market that would allow Member States to regain greater autonomy in their energy policies?
Submitted: 12.3.2025