Comparison of European energy prices to become easier

European member states are required by new legislation to provide information about the composition of their energy prices: not only about the energy costs themselves, but also about additional factors such as taxes and green energy certificates. “This is an important step towards a truly European energy market,” says Anneleen Van Bossuyt, ECR The N-VA is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a conservative, eurorealistic parliamentary group in the European Parliament. The N-VA shares their realistic view of the European project and also advocates for the correct and intensive application of the subsidiarity principle. For example, we must not be afraid to ask ourselves if it would be better to leave certain European initiatives to the Member States. The N-VA also identifies with the emphases that the ECR places on the social-economic issues. Since the 2014 elections, the ECR has become the third largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament. ECR group negotiator at the European Parliament.

“Sound policy is based on good and comparable data,” Anneleen Van Bossuyt continues. “This agreement of the European Council and the European Parliament ensures that now, for the first time, we can compare the composition of the energy prices paid by a family in Hungary with that of a Spanish consumer.”

No European harmonisation

Anneleen Van Bossuyt thinks that the legislation comes at the right time: “The Commission is going to propose various legislative initiatives around energy in the autumn. Therefore it is important to know the exact elements that contribute to the different energy prices. In this way, we can also determine the effects of possible policy initiatives will be.” However, the European Parliament member emphasises that this package is not a free pass for energy tax harmonisation throughout the EU: “That still remains the competence of the member states, and we will keep an eye on it.”