Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra, in a written answer on 10 July 2026, ruled out reintroducing a permanent EU-wide solidarity contribution on fossil fuel companies, instead directing Member States to consider national windfall profit taxes and pointing to the Commission's AccelerateEU Communication as the main vehicle for reducing energy price exposure. The answer, responding to a question from Greens/EFA MEP Rasmus Andresen, confirms that the 2022 emergency solidarity contribution was always intended as a temporary measure and expired on 31 December 2023.
Hoekstra noted that the AccelerateEU Communication of 22 April 2026 already recalled Member States' ability to tax windfall profits nationally, and that the Commission will assist those wishing to do so by providing best practices and assessing internal market impacts. On price caps, the Commissioner did not commit to a specific design but said the Commission would work with Member States on national temporary and targeted measures to mitigate fuel costs on electricity generation, while preserving investment signals and decarbonisation goals. The answer largely restates existing commitments rather than announcing new EU-level instruments, leaving concrete action to national capitals.
The policy orientation is one of subsidiarity and market-based transition: the Commission favours national, temporary interventions over permanent EU-wide mechanisms, and sees accelerated investment in renewables and circular solutions — as outlined in the AccelerateEU plan — as the structural answer to fossil fuel dependency. No legislative proposal or timeline was announced. Institutional follow-up is expected through bilateral work with Member States on national measures and through the ongoing implementation of the AccelerateEU Communication.