By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 7 (Reuters) - The European Union is examining energy taxes, network charges and carbon costs as possible areas for short-term measures to ease pressure on industries hit
EU Explores Short-Term Solutions to Ease Energy Costs for Industry
EU Considers Measures to Address High Energy Prices
By Kate Abnett
Current Situation and Industry Concerns
BRUSSELS, March 7 (Reuters) - The European Union is examining energy taxes, network charges and carbon costs as possible areas for short-term measures to ease pressure on industries hit by high energy prices, a document seen by Reuters showed.
Brussels is looking for quick fixes after companies warned they cannot compete with rivals in China and the U.S. - even before this week's surge in oil and gas prices sparked by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
EU Leadership Response
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to present options for EU leaders to consider at a summit on 19 March.
Short-Term Measures Under Consideration
A Commission paper prepared for a meeting of EU Commissioners on Friday showed the bloc is exploring short-term measures to help the hardest-hit regions and sectors, without undermining longer-term climate laws meant to shift Europe to a cheaper, low-carbon energy system.
Potential Policy Adjustments
"Any proposal for legislative change will not deliver immediately and a bridge solution may be needed to reduce energy prices in the next 2-5 years until the clean transition eases pressure on power prices as already seen in some regions," said the document, seen by Reuters.
Focus Areas for Cost Reduction
The paper said the Commission would look at network charges - which make up about 18% of industrial power bills - and national taxes and levies, as well as carbon costs, which account for around 11% of bills.
It noted that governments are underusing existing tools to cut companies' energy bills, including state aid to offset carbon costs and contracts for difference that guarantee industrial consumers a stable power price.
Contingency Plans for Further Disruptions
The document said that if energy supplies are disrupted further, Brussels must be ready to introduce measures to encourage consumers to use less energy, as it did in 2022 when Russia slashed gas deliveries.
Official Response
A Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Kate Abnett. Editing by Mark Potter)
