To cope with the cut in supplies arriving from Russia, the European Commission proposes a 15% cut in gas consumption in the EU until next spring. The EU executive wrote this in a statement on Wednesday, specifying that “all consumers, public administrations, families, owners of public buildings, energy suppliers and industries can and must take measures to save gas”. In this way, Brussels aims to reduce the power of Russia, which uses gas supplies as a political tool to put pressure on European countries.
The European Commission also proposes to introduce new rules to coordinate the reduction in consumption, considering a 15% drop as an objective between 2022st August 31 and 2023st March XNUMX. The new rules would allow Brussels to declare a state of emergency (Union Alert) on security of supply which would make the cuts mandatory.
Furthermore, the plan reads, “the Commission urges all Member States to launch awareness campaigns to promote large-scale reductions in heating and cooling and to implement the EU's 'Energy Savings Communication', containing numerous short-term savings options. To lead by example, Member States could impose a targeted reduction in heating and cooling in buildings managed by public authorities".
Von der Leyen's words
"I know it's a heavy question, but it's necessary to protect us," he commented at the press conference Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
"Russia is blackmailing us on gas but Europe is prepared – he added – We are not starting from scratch, but we must do more. We must prepare for a complete shutdown of Russian gas. It is a probable scenario, which would have an impact on the whole Union. Today is day 147 of Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine, but we have seen that months before the war, Russia intentionally kept gas supply and supply at a low level, despite high prices. Gazprom has no intention of rebalancing the market. On the contrary, it has kept inventories at a very low level, reducing the supply to create tensions on the market and increase prices. We know that the situation is extremely complicated and that implies that there is good coordination. It is important to show unity and solidarity, as happened with the Covid crisis. So we can overcome any crisis”.
"Work in progress" on the roof at the price of gas
On the gas price ceiling "the work is in progress". This is what can be read in an explanatory note from the European Commission on the package to reduce gas demand. “The European Council has instructed the Commission to study a maximum price ceiling for imported gas – reads the document – and that work is ongoing. We are looking at different models and ways a price cap might work in a gas outage or emergency situation."
Putin: we will respect gas commitments, but possible reductions from Nord Stream
Meanwhile, the Russian president Vladimir Putin he assured that Russia will respect its commitments on natural gas supplies to Europe, but also warned that flows through the Nord Stream gas pipeline could soon be reduced if sanctions prevented further maintenance work on the infrastructure.
In particular, during his visit to Tehran, Putin said that “Gazprom has always fulfilled and will always fulfill all its obligations”. But the Russian president added that unless the turbine restarts soon, flows could drop next week to about 20% of capacity. Putin also said that another turbine is due for maintenance on July 26.
The Nord Stream pipeline, the main artery for Russian gas to Europe, is currently down for maintenance ordinary, but European governments fear that Moscow does not intend to restore the flow. The end of the works is expected for tomorrow.
