EU Task Force Aims to Reduce Energy Cost Inequalities Across Europe

On Monday, June 16, 2025, the creation of the European Task Force was announced with the goal of strengthening energy cooperation and smoothing out cost differences observed in various regions, such as Northern Europe. This ad hoc initiative is a result of interventions by leaders like Kyriakos Mitsotakis and others from member states in the region during the previous year. Countries like Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania have suffered due to the fragmented energy market, which creates ‘islands’ and barriers within the EU. Consequently, electricity prices have surged while remaining low in other European countries. The Task Force will now take initiatives to improve the situation. As stated by Energy Commissioner Dan Georgensen, ‘the team will achieve what citizens and businesses demand: a secure, clean, and economical energy system.’ Support for these efforts will come from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the energy regulatory authority ACER, along with industry experts. The task force will hold regular meetings, with the next one scheduled for September. The government is satisfied that it has encouraged the EU to seriously address the issue, placing it at the institutional forefront. It remains to be seen whether the effort will bear fruit and function with the required speed. Meanwhile, Northern European countries face another ‘hot’ summer both in terms of temperature and energy costs. Among potential solutions, the Ministry of Environment and Energy has already identified specific short-term and long-term measures, such as better utilization of existing interconnections, their upgrade, and improved regional coordination.