The European Union is not planning to include the measure of imposing a ceiling on gas prices in its forthcoming strategy for reducing energy prices, a European Commission official said, denying rumors that the EU executive is considering such a measure.

As the European official typically said, who requested to maintain his anonymity, a proposal to reduce natural gas import prices “is not likely” to be included In the industrial plan for the green agreement that will be presented later this month.

His statement followed the strong opposition expressed by fossil fuel trading and production companies to impose a ceiling on gas prices. On Tuesday 11 industrial associations, such as the European Union of Energy Trade Companies and the International Petroleum and Gas Producers Association, they raised the alarm by their letter to the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Laien, expressing their “strong concerns” effects of measure.

As they said, the ceiling imposition could have “extensive negative effects to the stability of European energy markets and the safety of energy supply of all continents, “adding that would undermine Europe’s credibility as a gas customer and would turn flows outside the block.

It is recalled that EU capitals initially agreed to impose a ceiling on natural gas prices, which would theoretically put a ceiling on import prices, during the energy crisis that broke out after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the measure , the validity of which ended this month, provided for specific conditions, but which were never fulfilled and was never activated.

The subject has come back to the forefront as Brussels are preparing to present an ambitious strategic plan On February 26thalso known as an industrial plan for the green agreement, for the revitalization of the asthma heavy heavy industry. The plan provides, among other things, a new “Action Plan for Affordable Energy”, which will set measures to reduce electricity prices.

Energy companies are concerned that the measures will be the establishment of a maximum of gas prices, as according to two sources in the industry, EU Vice President Teresa Ribera, who is responsible for clean, just and competitive transition, had been in favor of of including the measure.

However, the revival of the measure would reopen a political toxic debate. Previous talks included months of conflict between countries that are largely in favor of the free market, such as the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark – who strongly opposed the proposal – and countries with greater state intervention such as Greece, Spain and Spain and Poland.

“It would be smarter for the committee to examine the prospects of the gas market instead of maintaining measures for the 2022 crisis,” an EU diplomat said.

The debate is now causing concerns in countries that have previously supported the measure. “If the mechanism was a little upgraded, there may have been a benefit – but with huge risk carriers [υγροποιημένου φυσικού αερίου] To send LNG to Asia, “said a second EU diplomat.

A new price ceiling will also raise thorny legal questions. The measure was approved in 2022 as a limited duration of emergency legislation, when the wholesale of natural gas were jumped to over 340 euros per MWh in August of that year. Adopting a similar measure would now be legally difficult, according to an EU official, as “we are no longer in crisis”, which means that “we should carefully analyze the choices”.