Commission: Proposes establishing a target to reduce gas consumption by 15% by March

LAST UPDATE 13:55

The Commission has proposed a voluntary target for European Union countries to cut natural gas use by 15% by March, warning them that without big cuts now, they could struggle with fuel over the winter if Russia cuts off the supply of gas.

The target could become legally binding if Russia cuts gas supplies to Europe.

It foresees that the proposal concerns the reduction of gas use by 15% from August to March, in relation to the average consumption of the corresponding period in the period 2016-2021.

The Commission could make the target mandatory if it declares that there is a substantial risk of a serious gas shortage in the European Union.

The proposal needs approval from an enhanced majority of EU countries. Diplomats from EU countries are due to discuss the proposal on Friday in order to approve it at the meeting of EU energy ministers on July 26.

The plan has already met with backlash from some countries, which feel their emergency plans do not need a boost from the EU. Countries must update their natural gas plans by the end of September to show how plan to meet the EU target.

Among those reacting to the EU’s mandatory targets is Poland, which has filled its gas storage facilities to 98% of capacity, following a cutoff from Russia to Poland in April. Other fuel depots are less full, with Hungary’s for example standing at 47%.

But EU officials say it is crucial to ensure all countries act now, rather than waiting for Russia to reduce supply.

“If we wait, it will be more expensive and mean we will be dancing to Russia’s tune,” one diplomat said.

Brussels proposed measures that governments can take to reduce gas use, including auctions for compensation to industries that reduce gas use and lower heating and cooling temperatures in public buildings.

Households qualify as “protected consumers” under EU rules and will be protected from such reductions.

In fact, the Commission emphasizes that governments should decide the order in which they will force non-essential industries to close, in the event of an emergency for gas supplies.

Von der Leyen: Russia is blackmailing us

The president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that a possible scenario is that there will be a complete stoppage of natural gas supply from Russia, and this is something that would affect the entire EU.

“We will manage to get through the winter even with the proposed 15% reduction in gas use. Energy solidarity is a key principle of our Treaty,” von der Leyen added.

“Russia is blackmailing us. Russia is using energy as a weapon. And therefore, in any case, whether it is a partial, large cut of Russian gas or a complete cutoff of its flow, Europe must be ready,” he told a news conference. .