ROTTERDAM – The Netherlands is looking positively at the plans of the European Commission to deal with the energy crisis. That says Prime Minister Mark Rutte during the visit of committee chair Ursula von der Leyen. Earlier, Rutte said that the cabinet will go to Brussels to negotiate the package without taboos.
The Commission’s plans include a price cap for Russian gas and a mandatory cut in electricity consumption during peak hours in EU countries. The Commission also wants the excess profits of companies that have low costs for the generation of renewable electricity to be curbed. Energy companies that receive power plants with fossil fuels and the high oil and gas prices must pay a solidarity levy.
Energy Minister Rob Jetten said earlier this week that the cabinet is prepared to “consider” support for the price ceiling. However, the cabinet will guard against future Russian counter-actions. Not Jetten himself, but State Secretary Hans Vijlbrief (Mining) will go to Brussels on Friday to discuss the package.
The real negotiations will take place there,e Rutte. But despite the “questions and concerns” that the cabinet still has, the Netherlands is looking positively at the proposals.