The European Commission has today presented several initiatives as part of its Energy Union strategy to strengthen the position of consumers in the European electricity market. The energy summer package mainly builds on three pillars:
- Besser deals through better information: Price comparison tools, advertising rules and updated efficiency labels shall help consumers to compare and evaluate offers, thereby saving money more easily.
- Increase willingness to switch: By facilitating collective switching schemes consumers shall be supported in leveraging their great bargaining power in the market.
- Promote possibilities to participate: By promoting services that allow consumers to identify minimum standards for key billing information and data protection, consumers’ choice of action in energy markets shall be improved. Also, the reforms shall supports consumers to generate and consume their own energy.
Vera Jourová, EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, elaborates: "The Energy Union puts consumers in the driver's seat: it offers them a new deal by ensuring choice, transparency and strong consumer rights. To fully benefit from available choices in the market, European energy consumers must be informed and empowered."
Further information can be found here.
Source: European Commission