EU ministers agree on gas savings plan

This should reduce consumption by 15 percent. However, the compromise provides for numerous exceptions for individual countries.

In view of the gas shortage, the EU has decided on an emergency plan for this winter: This was confirmed by the Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela, whose country currently holds the Council Presidency. The text, quoted by the AFP news agency, says: “Member States will make every effort to reduce their national gas consumption between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 by at least 15 percent compared to their average gas consumption between 1 August and 31 March in the five years prior to the entry into force of this Regulation.”

The EU Commission had proposed that all member countries should save 15 percent on gas by the end of March in order to help countries dependent on Russia, such as Germany. In an emergency, the Commission wanted to enforce savings targets. However, this met with resistance, including from southern countries such as Spain and Italy.

Numerous exceptions

The compromise agreed by the EU ambassadors therefore provides for numerous exceptions to the savings target. They concern countries in an island location – such as Ireland, Cyprus or Malta – or with no connection to the interconnected grid such as Spain and Portugal. In addition, at the request of five member states, the EU countries should decide on the declaration of a gas emergency and not the Commission.

The further Russian gas reduction through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline leading to Germany on Monday is proof that President Vladimir Putin “is continuing his dirty game of abuse and blackmail with gas supplies,” Sikela said. The EU must therefore reduce its dependence on Russia as quickly as possible.