The EU delays methane compliance requirements for exporters by one year

Methane exporters will be granted an additional year to prepare for the European Union’s methane regulation, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her opening statement to the European Parliament. EU rules designed to curb methane emissions from the energy sector have been in effect since 2024. From the beginning of 2027, companies will be required, for certain supply contracts, to demonstrate that producers in the country of origin monitor and report their methane emissions according to standards at least equivalent to those applicable to EU companies.

Von der Leyen also called for discussions on European refineries, with the objective of reducing costs and ensuring that the EU has sufficient supplies. “Since the end of February, gas prices have risen by 140%. Diesel prices have doubled. Altogether, if we look at the imported fossil fuels, their costs for Europe are EUR100bn extra, without a single molecule of energy in addition” she stated.

In addition, the European Commission is expected to propose measures in the coming months to raise electricity’s share of total energy demand. “Today, electricity accounts for less than 25% of our final energy consumption. Therefore, our electrification action plan sets out clear targets to double that by 2040. If we are managing this, just imagine. That could help cut our fossil fuel imports by EUR260bn every year” the European Commission President said. “Last year we installed more than 80 GW of renewable capacity, that is good, but 6 times more is still waiting to be connected, so it's wasted, and that is why we need our grids package so urgently”, she added.

The Commission President also called on EU countries to make full use of existing legislation and policy priorities to address price increases, including greater flexibility in state aid rules and the expansion of renewable power.