EUR-Lex Access to European Union law
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It sets up the Energy Poverty and Vulnerable Consumers Coordination Group as the main platform for the European Commission and European Union (EU) Member States to share information and best practice on the subject of energy poverty, coordinate EU legislation and help to design programmes and policy initiatives in the context of:
Access to energy services is considered an essential part of social inclusion. The European Pillar of Social Rights from 2017 includes energy among the essential services which everyone is entitled to access.
To tackle the issue of energy poverty and those affected by it, including vulnerable consumers and financially weak households, the Coordination Group:
Membership, external experts, and observers
Member States each nominate no more than two expert representatives and two alternates. The Commission may:
Participants in the Coordination Group and subgroups are not paid. Travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed by the Commission.
It has applied since 1 May 2022.
Energy poverty is also addressed in:
For further information, see:
Note: Standard definitions of energy poverty and vulnerable consumers are still being developed. In the meantime, Member States decide on their own criteria based on the national and local context.
Commission Decision (EU) 2022/589 of 6 April 2022 establishing the composition and the operational provisions of setting up the Commission Energy Poverty and Vulnerable Consumers Coordination Group (OJ L 112, 11.4.2022, pp. 67–72).
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (COM(2021) 102 final, 4.3.2021).
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1563 of 14 October 2020 on energy poverty (OJ L 357, 27.10.2020, pp. 35–41).
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – The European Green Deal (COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019).
Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market for electricity and amending Directive 2012/27/EU (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, pp. 125–199).
Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC (OJ L 211, 14.8.2009, pp. 94–136).
Successive amendments to Directive 2009/73/EC have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
last update 01.06.2022