Commissioner Simson to discuss EU winter preparedness and progress towards 2030 targets with Energy Ministers

On Monday, Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson will represent the Commission at the Energy Council in Brussels. Discussions will focus on winter preparedness and how to ensure security of energy supplies for next year’s heating season.

EU Energy Ministers will seek to reach a political agreement on a Council Recommendation to continue coordinated voluntary reduction of gas demand, as proposed by the Commission earlier this week. In addition, the Commissioner and the Ministers will be informed about the overall energy situation in Ukraine by the Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko, who will join the meeting online.

Commissioner Simson will also provide an update on EU countries’ progress towards the achievement of the EU’s 2030 climate and energy goals, and encourage the 27 Ministers to take into account the Commission’s recommendations when they submit their updated National Energy and Climate Plans by 30 June. A discussion on the ways to increase flexibility capacity is also on the Council agenda, while deliberations over lunch will be dedicated to the European solar power sector.

The press conference with Commissioner Simson and the Belgian Presidency of the Council will be livestreamed on EbS, and is tentatively scheduled for 17:30 CET.