Hearings: Cases C-358/24 Varo Energy Belgium and Others, C-533/24 Vermilion Energy Ireland and C-153/25 Acea Produzione and Others

On Tuesday 9 June 2026, the Court of Justice will hear Cases C-358/24 Varo Energy Belgium and Others, C-533/24 Vermilion Energy Ireland and C-153/25 Acea Produzione and Others.

These cases concern the EU’s emergency response to the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To address rising energy costs, EU Regulation 2022/1854 introduced a temporary solidarity contribution – a windfall tax on surplus profits made by companies in the fossil fuel and energy sectors. Energy companies in Belgium, Ireland and Italy are challenging, at national level, the measures implementing this Regulation, while the Irish companies are also contesting the validity of the Regulation itself.

Courts in Belgium, Ireland and Italy have asked the Court of Justice to rule on the validity and interpretation of the Regulation, and on the compatibility of the national implementing legislation with EU law.

These hearings will be available in the Curia Web TV section of our website after they have been completed.

In the video below, a press officer of the Court gives an overview of the facts of the cases and the legal issues involved.