-- The European Commission issued new energy recommendations Thursday, aiming to shield vulnerable households and boost consumer-driven supply and participation in clean energy, it said.
The Commission introduced measures to protect vulnerable households from disconnections and help consumers better manage energy contracts amid ongoing price volatility, it said.
The recommendations also encourage households and communities to generate and share their own energy, supporting wider adoption of cleaner power sources, the Commission said.
These steps form part of the Citizens' Energy Package and the AccelerateEU plan, which aim to address the ongoing fossil fuel crisis and strengthen energy resilience, the Commission added.
The Commission is focusing on building a more inclusive and sustainable system by helping consumers make informed energy choices and limiting risks tied to supplier failures, it said.
It is also urging member states to speed up the development of energy communities and expand self-consumption models to support the clean energy transition.
Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said rising global tensions continue to drive energy price volatility, reinforcing the need to accelerate Europe's shift toward a secure and sustainable system.
The Commission will work with Member States and stakeholders to implement the measures, offering technical support and tracking progress to ensure effective adoption, it said.