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Joint statement: energy-intensive industries urge swift action to tackle unprecedented energy crisis
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Brussels, 20 October 2021 - Ahead of the European Council meeting, industry calls for immediate support to address the skyrocketing energy prices which endanger the post pandemic recovery, coupled with structural measures securing the affordable low carbon energy required to meet the objectives of the EU Green Deal.
Gas and electricity prices have been rising exponentially in the last weeks and months, registering 4-to-5-time increases in comparison to last year. The main reasons for this situation are the imbalances in the gas market (which represents the primary short-term element), seasonal factors that have reduced renewable energy production, reduced nuclear energy production and increased carbon costs passed on in electricity prices.
Energy-intensive companies that are most exposed to such price spikes have been forced to react by curtailing and/or temporarily closing plants. Protracted high prices on the spot markets are also being reflected in the futures for the first semester of 2022. Such a trend represents a major threat for the full post pandemic recovery.
In addition, access to affordable low carbon energy sources represents a key condition for a competitive transition of energy intensive industries towards the climate neutrality target. Therefore, protractedly high and/or more volatile energy prices risk also jeopardising their transformation in the medium term.
The toolbox presented by the European Commission last week provides an overview of the measures that can be taken in the short term to support households and industry. We urge national authorities to exploit the full potential of the toolbox. However, it is clear that this unprecedented crisis requires additional, urgent initiatives.
In order to address the imbalances of the gas market, the EU should fully use its commercial and diplomatic pressure on the major gas suppliers. Furthermore, ad-hoc state aid rules are necessary to enable member states to react more prominently than currently allowed during periods of energy market stress. At the same time, a close monitoring mechanism of electricity and gas markets needs to be established to prevent further ‘outages’ during the upcoming winter.
While the ongoing crisis is linked to several conjunctural factors, its effects provide also important medium-term indications for the Fit for 55 Package and the overall climate and energy regulatory framework:
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Brussels, 05 September 2024 – The latest developments in the steel sector and across critical value chains are worrying signs of a steady deterioration, endangering the survival and the transition of steelmakers and their key manufacturing customers in Europe, such as automotive. A Clean Industrial Deal including swift and radical measures in EU industrial, energy and trade policies, is the last chance to ensure Europe’s prosperity and shield European industry from cheap imports driven by third countries’ unfair trade practices, overcapacity and lower climate ambition, urges the European Steel Association.
Brussels, 25 July 2024 – Major indicators in the European steel market show a steeper-than-expected downward trend, further impacting the outlook for this year and the next. Poor demand conditions, driven by ongoing factors such as high energy prices, persistent inflation, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, are exacerbated by a manufacturing crisis affecting the largest steel-using sectors, including construction and automotive. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, apparent steel consumption is further deteriorating. After a slump (-3.1%) in the first quarter of 2024, its rebound for the full year has been revised downwards (to +1.4% from +3.2%), as well as for 2025 (+4.1% from +5.6%). Similarly, output in steel-using sectors, after a decline in the first quarter (-1.9%), is projected to experience a deeper-than-expected recession (-1.6% from -1%). A recovery is anticipated only in 2025 (+2.3%). Steel imports continue to show historically high shares (27%).
Third quarter 2024 report. Data up to, and including, first quarter 2024