Rise in electricity prices on the wholesale market
27.8.2021
Question for written answer E-003978/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Nicolás González Casares (S&D)
The average wholesale price for electricity has risen constantly since the start of this year, hitting historic highs in most of the European Union in August. Gas prices and EU ETS price emissions allowances are the main drivers behind this. The Commission has once again defended its marginalist system for determination of the wholesale price, and reiterated the importance of avoiding non-essential measures that distort competition on the electricity market. While it can be understood that an appropriate price signal encourages energy efficiency, market penetration of renewables and decarbonisation of the energy system, the levels electricity prices have now reached are having a regressive effect in certain vulnerable sectors.
Bearing in mind the above and the recent reform of the EU electricity market:
- 1.Is the Commission examining whether these rising prices can be accounted for by circumstances on the wholesale market other than those mentioned above?
- 2.Does the Commission have any measures or proposals planned to cut the windfall profits of some decarbonised generation technologies that came into operation before the EU ETS and have now been paid off?