W skrócie

• The European Commission wants electricity taxes not to exceed those on natural gas, and Poland opposes this provision.
• Deputy Minister of Energy Wojciech Wrochna argues that member states should decide on taxes, and that the Treaties require unanimity.
• Taxes and fees account for 36% of the electricity price for businesses in Poland, the highest in the Union.
• Objections were also raised by Sweden, Italy, Finland, Bulgaria and, according to WNP, Germany.

Zapis w projekcie Komisji

The European Commission proposes a common principle of energy taxation, under which electricity could not be burdened with a tax higher than that on natural gas (Rachunki za prąd. Bruksela chce zmian. Polska mówi "nie" – wp.pl). For consumers, this would mean that households and companies would have more reasons to switch to electricity. According to Brussels, such a solution is meant to increase demand for electrification of processes and heat pumps. The dispute concerns Article 18c of the draft regulation (Polska powiedziała „nie” podatkowemu pomysłowi Brukseli na tańszy prąd – RMF24.

Stanowisko Warszawy

Deputy Minister of Energy Wojciech Wrochna stated that this provision should not be included in the regulation. Warsaw believes that member states should decide on taxes, and in this area the Treaties require the consent of all countries.

Stanowiska innych państw

Objections were also raised by Sweden, Italy, Finland and Bulgaria. According to WNP, Germany joined the demand to delete the provisions.

Obciążenia dla firm

According to data from the European Commission, taxes and fees account for 36% in Poland. If the proposal were adopted, the current principles of energy taxation in Poland would have to be changed.

Spotkanie ministrów w Luksemburgu

The objection to the provision was raised during a meeting of energy ministers in Luxembourg on 29 October. The Commission wants in this way to reduce energy costs, and the discussion concerns a single provision of the draft.