Von der Leyen says fuel imports cost EU extra €106 billion

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must change how it uses energy. She said the bloc's bill for imported fossil fuels has risen by 106 billion euros since the war in the Middle East began, "without a single molecule of energy in addition," according to the Commission's recording of her press conference. She spoke on Friday, October 16, after the two-day EU leaders' summit in Brussels. She also confirmed that the bloc will delay its methane regulation by one year and widen its temporary state aid rules.mobil.aa.com.tr

She said gas prices have risen about 140% since late February and diesel prices have doubled. "We must also change the way we consume energy," she said, calling for electricity produced in Europe to replace foreign fossil fuels.edgeconsultancykw.com+1

Five short-term measures

Von der Leyen said there is "no silver bullet" and set out five steps:audiovisual.ec.europa.eu

• releasing 100 million barrels of oil and diesel over the next four months, managed by the International Energy Agency
• extending the temporary state aid framework in both scope and duration
• postponing the methane regulation by a year
• launching a strategic dialogue on European refineries
• upgrading a task force that pools energy demand, so that a market operator can buy energy on global markets for the whole bloc

In their conclusions, leaders welcomed the methane delay and the plans to extend state aid for the most exposed industrial sectors.edgeconsultancykw.com

For the longer term, von der Leyen said that as long as Europe depends on imported oil and gas, it must "stay the course" of moving to nuclear and renewable power. European Council President António Costa said the bloc is paying the price for its dependence on fossil fuels and for not having a fully integrated single energy market.mobil.aa.com.tr+1

Methane rules pushed back

The Commission formally proposed the delay on October 14. It came after pressure from governments including France and the United States. The rules were due to start on January 1, 2027, and would have required foreign oil and gas suppliers to monitor and report methane emissions. Under the proposal, they would take effect in 2028 instead. The Commission said the change would "help avoid additional pressures on the security of supply".reuters.com+1

EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said the delay applies only to the rules for imports. The European Parliament and EU governments still have to approve the change. Czechia, Italy and some lawmakers have pushed for a three-year delay.argusmedia.com+1

Calls for targeted support

Before the summit, von der Leyen told the European Parliament that national support should be targeted rather than "blanket handouts." She said broad handouts would increase demand, mostly help higher earners and cost a great deal. She pointed to energy voucher schemes for low-income families in France and Romania as good examples.audiovisual.ec.europa.eu