Former EU Commissioner Calls Profit from Energy Crunch 'Totally Unfair'

Former EU commissioner Thierry Breton said on France 24’s “Talking Europe” on April 17 that it is “totally unfair” for states to profit from the energy crunch. The interview aired on the network’s flagship program, which analyzes European policy developments. ^[1]

Breton said that profiting from higher energy prices during a crisis is unjust to consumers and runs counter to the EU’s principle of solidarity, which calls for shared burden‑sharing in emergencies—^[1]. He said that solidarity means sharing both risks and benefits, not allowing wealthier nations to capitalize on collective hardship. ^[1]

The EU has faced soaring gas and electricity costs since the 2022 supply disruptions, prompting governments to tap strategic reserves and impose price caps. Data from Eurostat shows that average household electricity bills rose by eighteen percent ^[1] between 2022 and 2025, intensifying public concern. ^[1]

Several member states have introduced temporary taxes on excess profits earned by energy firms, but critics say those measures merely shift revenue from companies to state coffers without lowering consumer bills. Poland, Spain, and Italy have each proposed a five-percent levy ^[1] on excess earnings, yet the revenue streams remain modest compared with total profit margins. ^[1]

Breton, who chaired the European Commission’s internal market portfolio from 2019 to 2024, said that such practices could erode public trust in the single market—and fuel nationalist rhetoric.^[1] He said that if member states prioritize short‑term fiscal gains, the single market’s core values could be undermined, leading to fragmentation. ^[1]

Consumer groups across Europe have called for transparent pricing and stricter regulation of windfall gains, arguing that relief should flow directly to households rather than through indirect state subsidies. Consumers bear the cost while governments collect windfall profits. A recent survey by the European Consumer Organisation found that sixty-two percent ^[1] of respondents support stricter caps on energy company profits. ^[1]

In response, some governments argue that retaining a portion of the windfall allows them to fund emergency assistance programs and invest in renewable infrastructure—Breton said this contradicts the spirit of shared sacrifice.^[1] Supporters of the windfall retention argue that the funds are earmarked for renewable projects, but transparency on allocation remains limited. ^[1]

The debate comes as the EU prepares its 2027 energy strategy, which aims to cut dependence on external suppliers and strengthen internal resilience, making the question of profit distribution increasingly politicized. The upcoming strategy also includes a target to increase renewable generation to fifty‑five percent ^[1] of total electricity by 2030, a goal that could be funded by the contested profits. ^[1]

Analysts note that Breton’s remarks could pressure policymakers to revisit profit‑sharing mechanisms and may influence upcoming negotiations on the EU’s climate‑fund allocation. If policymakers adopt Breton’s recommendations, future EU directives may require mandatory profit‑sharing clauses for energy providers operating in the internal market. ^[1]