The European Commission asked to extend the reduction of gas consumption

The European Commission has asked European Union (EU) countries to extend for a further year the voluntary 15 % reduction in gas consumption agreed two years ago at the onset of the energy crisis. According to the institution in a statement, this measure was scheduled to expire on March 31.

Brussels urges Member States to continue to take voluntary measures to maintain a collective reduction in gas demand of 15 %, compared to the average consumption recorded between April 2017 and March 2022. The recommendation, which must be approved by EU partners, will be discussed at the next meeting of EU 27 Energy Ministers, scheduled for Monday 4 March.

On gas demand, Brussels acknowledges that the energy situation in the EU has improved since the beginning of the crisis. Despite this, it believes that there is still a need to save energy due to the persistence of geopolitical tensions, the constraint of global gas markets and the decision to reduce Russia’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Continuous gas savings will help to maintain and improve market stability, as well as facilitate the filling of gas storage during spring and summer. It will also support the EU’s decarbonisation efforts, the EU executive argues.

Brussels estimates that the bloc has managed to reduce its gas demand by 18 % between August 2022 and December 2023, representing a saving of 101 billion cubic meters and exceeding the 15 % target agreed in the summer of 2022.

In addition to reducing gas demand, Member States committed to reach 90 % of gas storage capacity by 1 November 2023. The EU already achieved this target in August last year, and by November it was already at 99% capacity.

K. Tovar

Source: Euronews

(Reference image: Arthur Lambillotte, Unsplash)

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