Protect consumers from sudden changes in fossil fuel prices that just as suddenly raise prices electricityThe Commission is targeting a package of proposals it is preparing for the restructuring of the electricity market in Europe.

His main goal European Unionaccording to Reuters, is to avoid an event similar to last year, when disruptions in natural gas supplies from Russia to Europe led to record high electricity prices, rising household bills and forcing businesses to close.

At public consultations on its restructuring European energy market Launched yesterday, the European Commission lists several options for changing the way power plants sell electricity as part of an overall market reform it will propose next March.

“We need to develop a future-proof energy market so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of affordable clean energy,” said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simpson.

For EU purposes. this includes expanding the use of long-term contracts that allow power plants to offer fixed prices, such as contracts for differences (CFDs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs). The European Commission said that the extension of these contracts could be “a link between the bills paid by consumers and volatile prices in the short-term energy market.”

This can be achieved by adopting specific rules for CFDs at the European level, by giving national governments the power to decide whether they should be used, or even by requiring new power plants receiving government subsidies to sign CFDs. More drastic measures are also being considered, such as allowing national governments to impose CFDs on already operating units, though the EU said this could increase uncertainty by discouraging investment in renewables.