On April 19th our co-chairs sent a letter to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and several Commissioners with a Call for an EU-wide mechanism on windfall profits by the fossil fuel industry. Here is the answer from the Commission:
Dear Ms von Kirchbach, dear Ms Riemer,
Thank you for your mail of 19 April to Mrs Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, regarding the introduction of an EU-wide windfall profit mechanism in response to the current energy crisis. I have been asked to reply on her behalf.
We note that the same letter has been sent by other civil society organisations. The Commission is ensuring a coherent consideration of the recommendations expressed.
We appreciate your engagement and the reflections provided on the implications of the current geopolitical crisis for global energy markets, as well as their impact on European consumers. Your observations concerning the increase in Europe’s fossil fuel import costs and the role of extraordinary profits generated in the fossil fuel sector are timely in the current context.
The European Commission remains firmly committed to ensure a security and affordable energy for Europe, while accelerating the transition towards a more resilient and decarbonised energy system. In this context, reducing Europe’s exposure to fossil fuel price volatility and external dependencies remains a key priority.
The Commission has already taken concrete steps in this direction. On 22 April, we presented the AccelerateEU Communication, which sets out immediate measures to shield families and businesses, increase coordination, and accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels, building on the lessons of the 2022 energy crisis. These measures are designed to be targeted, protecting the most vulnerable while avoiding any worsening of supply conditions. They place a strong emphasis on energy savings, electrification, and the accelerated deployment of homegrown clean energy, including through better use of storage and demand flexibility.
This was complemented on 13 May by the publication of a catalogue of best practice examples with high replication potential for Member States to reduce oil and gas consumption in the short term, increase domestic clean energy production and strengthen energy saving efforts. In addition, the Commission adopted on 10 March 2026 the Citizens Energy Package, which aims to reduce energy bills, tackle energy poverty, and empower citizens to participate actively in the clean energy transition.
On windfall profits, I note the calls from both civil society and a number of Member States for an EU-wide mechanism. AccelerateEU acknowledges that Member States may tax windfall profits from energy companies to ensure social fairness, and the Commission commits to respecting the decisions of Member States, while providing best practices on national measures and assessing their impact on the single market.
Against this background, the considerations outlined in your letter, including regarding the possible design of solidarity-based mechanism and the use of related revenues, contribute to the broader reflections on how to ensure an effective response to evolving market developments.
I appreciate your continued engagement on these important issues and thank you for sharing your recommendations.
Yours sincerely,
Céline Gauer