Name: EU energy ministers set to tackle price discrepancies
Uploaded: 2025-12-15T16:49:34.231Z
Duration: 1 min 1 s
Description: High energy taxes and extra charges on the final bill from energy producers are creating large discrepancies among member states fueling the case to complete energy market. EU member states look to narrow the gap.

High energy taxes and extra charges on the final bill from energy producers are creating large discrepancies among member states fueling the case to complete energy market. EU member states look to narrow the gap.

Brussels

EU energy ministers are seeking to address major discrepancies in energy prices among member states, with some countries paying up to seven times more for electricity and gas than others. Germany, Belgium, and Denmark currently face the highest electricity costs, while Hungary, Bulgaria, and Malta pay the least, and gas price gaps are even wider.

Countries with strong renewable or nuclear energy sectors, such as Portugal, Spain, and France, have managed the crisis more effectively. The ministers, guided by Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, are backing faster permitting for renewables and two-way contracts to stabilize prices, while also noting that inefficient grids and uneven investments remain significant barriers to affordable energy.

EU energy ministers set to tackle price discrepancies

EU energy ministers want to level prices across member states, with some paying up to seven times more than others. Germany, Belgium and Denmark have the highest electricity costs, while Hungary, Bulgaria and Malta have the lowest. Gas shows even larger gaps, with Sweden paying seven times as much as Hungary. Countries like Portugal and Spain with renewables, or France with nuclear, have weathered the crisis better. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen says the bloc must decarbonise while reducing prices. Ministers now back faster permitting for renewables and two-way contracts to stabilise costs. The energy crisis has exposed inefficient grids and uneven investments as significant barriers to affordability.

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