The ITRE Committee (EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy) votes on a draft report to reform of the European electricity market, to make it more stable, affordable and sustainable. MEPs propose to further strengthen consumer protection against volatile prices. Consumers should have the right to fixed-price contracts, dynamic price contracts, as well as more key information on the options they sign up to, banning suppliers from being able to unilaterally change the terms of a contract. The aim is to ensure that all consumers and small businesses, would benefit from long-term, affordable and stable prices and to mitigate the impact of sudden price shocks. Extracts from the vote and statement by Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES).

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

statement

vote

energy union (T)

GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Nicolás (S&D, ES)

Reform of the electricity market design: extracts from the vote and statement by Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES)

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/71533312/1689758153079_I244231Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Reform of the electricity market design: extracts from the vote and statement by Nicol&aacute;s GONZ&Aacute;LEZ CASARES (S&amp;D, ES) (EbS)

View of the exterior of the European Parliament in Brussels

Cutaways of the vote for the Reform of the Electricity Market Design (4 shots)

Results of the vote on the text (55 favour, 15 against, 2 abstentions) (4 shots)

Result of the vote on interinstitutional negotiations (47 favour, 20 against, 5 abstentions) (8 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Nicol&aacute;s GONZ&Aacute;LEZ CASARES (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, The general purpose of this reform was to give the European electricity market a sense of stability, that the prices experienced during this crisis will not be repeated. From the European Parliament and myself as Rapporteur, I have tried to make it also a social reform that would protect the most vulnerable consumers and those at risk of energy poverty who have been the hardest hit during this price crisis that we have experienced in recent years. This was important to me and I think we are achieving it.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Nicol&aacute;s GONZ&Aacute;LEZ CASARES (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, We are giving the market a sign of stability. We have promoted long-term contracts, contracts for difference, such as the public support standard, and also bilateral markets, known as PPAs (Power Purchase Agreement), are also being promoted. This is important. We have also managed to ensure that consumers also play an active role. We can activate and play with demand so that this has less influence on wholesale market prices. We are also going to do so with other democratic elements that democratize the electricity system, such as the right to share energy. On the other hand, we are committed to renewables, which are the element that gives us more price stability and that allows us to have more affordable prices.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Nicol&aacute;s GONZ&Aacute;LEZ CASARES (S&amp;D, ES), Rapporteur, The Commission's parameters were somewhat fuzzy and we have made them more objective and it will be easier for a price crisis to break out. It will not be an arbitrary decision, but it will be an objective decision based on parameters, which will make it easier for measures to be taken to protect consumers. We have strengthened the protection of vulnerable consumers and I also want to mention in the right to share energy, that energy that we can produce in our homes and share with others that, for the first time, was opened by the Commission. We have tried to ensure that this will fundamentally benefit consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises, and that other agents that are external to the electricity market will get a benefit from it.