File photo.
Industrial associations from Greece (EVIKEN), Bulgaria (BFIEC), and Romania (ACCER) have jointly sent a letter to the new EU Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera, and Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. In the letter, they request an extension of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) through 2025, with the option for further extensions if needed.
The three associations point out that electricity prices, particularly in Southeast Europe but also across other European countries, have risen significantly compared to 2023 and remain much higher than pre-crisis levels, causing industries to further lose competitiveness.
The mechanism was established in 2023, providing eligible industries with subsidies of up to €50/MWh.
The measure was designed to alleviate the burden of the energy crisis, which threatened the competitiveness of various vulnerable sectors, such as steel production, aluminum manufacturing, glassmaking, and paper mills.
In their letter, the associations note that 2024 was a particularly challenging year for industries in Southeast Europe and that 2025 has begun with electricity prices in the region being twice as high as those in Western and Central Europe.
“This significantly hinders the competitiveness of the region amidst the ongoing decline in industrial production and industrial enterprises,” the letter says.