Council expected to take decision on hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package

On 28 March, EU energy ministers will seek a general approach on the hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package. This proposal by the European Commission aims to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon gases in the EU’s energy system, while the use of natural gas decreases.

The gas market package includes proposals for revision of the directive concerning common rules for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen, and the ordinance concerning the internal markets for the aforementioned gases. The use of natural gas needs to decrease for the EU to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

“I’m looking forward to the first Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting on energy issues during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and I hope we can reach both a general approach on the gas market package and a political agreement on the Council Regulation on coordinated demand-reduction measures for gas. Both proposals are important for our independence from Russian gas,” says Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.

Electricity market design

At the Council meeting, the ministers will discuss the Commission’s proposal for reform of the EU electricity market design that was presented on 14 March. The Commission has identified the impact of high gas prices on electricity prices as a vulnerability in the current market design. The proposal concerns four legal instruments.

Council Regulation on coordinated measures to decrease demand for gas

The Council is expected to adopt a political agreement on the Commission’s proposal to extend the Council Regulation on coordinated measures for the decrease of gas consumption, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The proposal was presented by the Commission on 20 March.

Winter of 2023/2024

The Commission will provide information about the preparations ahead of the winter of 2023/2024.