The Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Rivera, spoke this Friday about Brussels proposed targets for reducing electricity use. She emphasized the need for a national flexibility margin that allows each country to adapt the guidelines to its own energy realities. Rivera argued that a one size fits all approach could hamper reliability and affordability, so a national cushion should be built into any energy saving obligation.
During a press conference following discussions with EU energy ministers, the vice president highlighted that the commission should allow a measurable degree of room for maneuver at the national level. This flexibility would help avoid distortions that could threaten productive sectors or undermine ongoing efficiency programs. Rivera stressed that the overall objective remains clear, but the path to it must respect each country’s unique energy mix and demand patterns.
In this context, she noted that the global impact of the proposed measure will likely differ from country to country. The variation depends on current energy demand, existing efficiency efforts, and how quickly measures can be implemented without destabilizing electricity supply or imposing unfair burdens on households and business.
The vice president also underscored the value of exploring a broader energy strategy that includes potential peak hour reductions. She warned that any such plan must be accompanied by a transparent assessment of each nation’s true margin for action and must avoid creating distortions that would complicate the achievement of targets or threaten the viability of critical industries.
Ribera called for national level measures to conserve energy and stressed that the proposed Community Executive framework should incorporate practical steps that can be implemented across member states. She pointed to the urgency of reforms in energy policy in line with the Green Deal, while also calling for adjustments to regulatory structures that hinder swift action on energy efficiency and price stabilization.
According to the minister, a combination of tools will be necessary to address the current energy market turmoil. She advocated voluntary, compulsory, joint, and agreed national measures that can be coordinated to reduce energy prices and ensure stable electricity supplies. The aim is to bolster resilience across the system while supporting vulnerable consumers and maintaining industrial competitiveness.
Rivera also outlined the interest of several member states in pursuing an Iberian approach that includes an internal mechanism to cap wholesale gas prices used for power generation in combined cycle plants. This policy would limit the gas price pressure in electricity markets and help mitigate spikes during periods of high demand.
On the topic of placing a cap on natural gas priced in the wider Community market, she noted a broad and varied reaction among European partners regarding gas imports from different sources. The discussion reflects a shared concern about energy security and the need for coordinated responses that protect consumers while preserving market incentives for energy efficiency and clean generation.
Throughout the conversations, the emphasis remained on balancing ambitious climate and efficiency goals with practical considerations that ensure steady energy supplies and economic stability. The focus was on building a robust, flexible framework capable of guiding member states through the energy transition while preserving the integrity of the region’s energy markets and protecting productive sectors from destabilizing shocks.
Ultimately, Rivera called for a pragmatic approach that leverages a mix of policy tools, transparent governance, and clear timelines. The goal is to move toward lower energy consumption and costs through coordinated national actions, shared best practices, and smart regulation that supports the broader transition toward a sustainable, resilient European energy system. Accentuating the need for collaboration, she urged all parties to work together to deliver measurable improvements without compromising grid reliability or industrial competitiveness.