European Union (EU) member states have reached a political agreement to reduce winter gas consumption by 15%. The background is that Russia is more likely to cut off its gas supply to Europe altogether.
The EU Presidency’s Czech Republic posted on Twitter that energy ministers from member countries agreed at a meeting in Brussels to plan to voluntarily reduce gas use in the coming months. In the event of an emergency, such as a significant disruption of supply from Russia, the reduction target will switch to obligation. However, some countries with weak economic power and countries that are important to the EU’s energy network can be exempt from the reduction obligation.
Luxembourg’s energy minister, Turmes, said on Twitter that only Hungary voted against the proposal to reduce gas use.
“The EU will be able to protect its own energy security this winter,” said Timmermans, senior vice chairman of the European Commission (European Green Deal Policy Director, Climate Change Countermeasures). “Ukraine invades Russia.” We will continue this route until it is completely released from the EU. “
The reason why the speed agreement was reached after the European Commission first presented a reduction plan last week is that the gas supply from Russia is rapidly deteriorating. Russia’s state-owned natural gas company Gazprom plans to reduce the operating rate of its main pipeline “Nord Stream 1” from 27th to about 20%. The company explained that it would shut down another turbine and send it for maintenance.
The deal is expected to be legislated in the EU within a few days.
Source: Eurostat, U.S. Energy Information AdministrationShare of natural gas imports coming from Russia, 2020
Original title:EU Nations Reach Agreement to Reduce Gas Use for Next Winter (2)(excerpt)
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