European Union (EU) member states have agreed to cut natural gas consumption by 15 percent in anticipation of a possible interruption in Russian gas supplies.
Energy ministers of EU member states met in Brussels to discuss the natural gas contingency plan.
In a statement issued by the EU Council on the decisions taken at the meeting, it was reported that member states committed to reduce natural gas demand for next winter.
“Member states have reached a political agreement to voluntarily reduce natural gas demand by 15 percent this winter to increase the EU’s security of energy supply,” the statement said.
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Pointing out that it is also envisaged to establish an alarm system on natural gas supply security within the EU, it was noted in the statement that if this alarm is given, it will become mandatory to reduce gas demand.
The statement pointed out that the reduction of gas demand aims to prepare for possible interruptions in natural gas supply from Russia, which constantly uses energy resources as a weapon.
Pointing out that member countries will reduce their natural gas demand between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 with measures of their own choosing, the statement said that some exceptions have been determined to reflect the special situations of the countries in the mandatory gas demand reduction target.
In the statement, it was noted that countries that are not connected to the gas networks of other member states are exempted from mandatory gas discounts.
Countries whose electricity grids are not synchronized with the European electricity system and are heavily dependent on gas for electricity generation are also exempted, the statement said, adding that countries with limited interconnection with other member states or countries that make their liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure available to other countries may also be exempted.
The statement said that countries whose critical industries are heavily dependent on natural gas and exceed the natural gas storage target may also be exempted.
It was also stated that it was agreed to launch a Union-wide natural gas alarm system, and that the EU Commission will request to initiate an alarm process after 5 or more EU countries make a request in this process, and this request will be discussed in the Council.
Last week, the EU Commission announced its emergency plan proposal prepared against the possibility of interruption of natural gas flow from Russia. In the plan, member states were asked to reduce gas demand by 15 percent between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. It was also included in the plan that a 15 percent cut would be mandatory if an emergency was declared. However, the plan was opposed especially by countries in the south of Europe, which demanded some exceptions and changes.
