How the EU's energy roadmap aims to avoid 'winter of discontent'

The EU is hoping that a levy on power companies, as well as caps on consumption, can help avoid an energy crisis this winter. © AFP - INA FASSBENDER

The European Commission unveiled proposals this week to bring down the soaring price of gas and electricity across the European Union, notably by taxing power producers' excess profits.

Amid supply cuts and soaring energy bills, the bloc has tabled strategies that aim to avoid a minefield of negative scenarios that could lead to power outages, price hikes and a "winter of discontent".