A press conference at the EU headquarters in Brussels where the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (second from left) announced the energy proposals. Photo: AP
The European Commission (EC) proposed this Wednesday that the countries of the European Union reduce your gas consumption by 15% from 1 August to 31 March 2023 with savings measures for households, businesses and the public sector for prepare for a possible power outage from Russia.
The plan, dubbed Save gas for a safe wintercalls on governments to campaign for families to turn down the thermostat, limit heating or air conditioning in public buildings and give incentives for industry to use alternative fuels whenever possible or reduce gas consumption.
These actions should contribute to the achievement of the 15% reduction target compared to the average consumption of the same period in the last five years, which, for the moment, is voluntary for the States.
Gazprom’s headquarters in Germany, the Russian gas giant in full tension with Europe. Photo: AP
However, the regulation proposed by the Community Executive provides that the Commission may impose mandatory reduction targets demand for gas if it declares a “warning” on security of supply across the Union, which would occur when a serious risk of shortage or exceptionally high demand for gas is detected.
Tension on Russian gas
The Brussels contingency plan comes as the flow of Russian gas to the EU is already has been reduced by 30% compared to the 2016-2021 average, also due to the “unjustified” and “unilateral” actions of Gazprom, which interrupted all or part of the supply to twelve EU countries.
“The recent escalation of gas supply disruptions from Russia indicates a significant risk that a complete and prolonged disruption of Russian gas supply could materialize unexpectedly. abrupt and one-sided“, points out the Commission, which calls for immediate action.
Kadri Simson, EU Commissioner for Energy, at the press conference where the proposal was announced. Photo: AFP
Acting now, the Commission argues, would reduce the impact of a total cut on European GDP by at least a third, causing a decline of 0.4% instead of the 0.6% to 1% decline it estimates in the event. postponing savings measures would reassure the markets and smooth out price volatility.
With the 15% reduction in mind, Brussels has developed a Gas Demand Reduction Plan focused on replace it with other energy sourcesreduce consumption in all sectors and, at the same time, ensure supplies to families and essential users such as hospitals or industries essential for the European economy.
“Before considering the restrictions (on supply) the States should exhaust all substitution possibilitiesvoluntary savings plans and alternative energy sources, ”the Community Executive said in the statement.
Brussels calls for priority to be given to renewable or cleaner energies when replacing gas with another fuel, but recognizes that coal, oil or nuclear power may need to be “as a temporary measure”, which some have already done. villages.
A gas compression plant in Poland, which connects Russian gas with Western Europe. The energy crisis hits Europe. Photo: REUTERS
It also calls on states to reflect incentives to reduce energy consumption in industryfor example, by launching auctions or tenders to compensate for a certain reduction or through public aid, for which it has changed its state aid rules.
Another “important pillar” of savings will be heating and cooling systems, according to the Brussels plan, which suggests setting limits on the temperature that can be reached in public buildings, although the final proposal avoids setting specific thresholds that were considered in the first drafts. .
The regulation and the consumption reduction plan will have to be now discussed and approved by member states.
Source: EFE
Source: Clarin
