Three countries rejected the proposal of the European Commission to reduce gas consumption
Officially, Greece, Portugal and Spain announced their disagreement with the proposal of the European Commission to reduce gas consumption by 15%. However, according to Reuters, at least 12 EU states have expressed concern about this EC plan. 72/756584454787728.jpg” alt=”Three countries rejected the proposal of the European Commission to reduce gas consumption” />
Following Spain, Greece and Portugal refused to accept the proposal of the European Commission (EC) to reduce gas consumption from August this by 15% a year to March of the next amid the risk of disruptions in supplies from Russia.
Greek government spokesman Yannis Ikonomou said that Athens does not agree with the idea of the EC and submitted its proposals to solve this problem, writes the local newspaper Kathemirini. The Minister of Energy and the Environment of the country Kostas Skrekas also indicated that Greece opposes the plan of the European Commission. According to him, 70% of the gas in the country is used to generate electricity, and households and businesses will face problems due to the reduction in gas consumption.
The Portuguese Minister of Energy and Environment, João Galamba, also expressed his government's opposition to the EC's plan. He noted that Lisbon considered the proposal “disproportionate” and “untenable”, Publico points out. Galamba noted that the proposal was not adapted to countries such as Portugal, whose gas network is not well connected to the rest of Europe.
Earlier, Spain also announced that it does not support a plan to reduce gas consumption. Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera, Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of the Kingdom, said that in the coming months, electricity and gas will not be cut off in Spain, “whatever happens.” She also called the EC's demand “disproportionate”.
The EC presented its plan for the reduction on July 20. The concerns of the European Commission are related to a decrease in the volume of gas supplies via the Nord Stream gas pipeline; 1". All the middle of June Gazprom reduced gas flow through it from 167 million cubic meters. m per day to 67 due to the fact that one of the gas compressor turbines of the German company Siemens, located in Canada, was detained by Ottawa due to sanctions, and the other turbine was stopped for repairs. Starting from July 11, the gas pipeline was scheduled to be closed for preventive maintenance, but on the 21st it resumed pumping gas at the same level of 67 million cubic meters. m.
Reuters learned that in mid-July Gazprom sent a letter to European partners, where he said that he would not be able to fulfill his supply obligations due to “emergency” circumstances beyond his control. The force majeure clause concerned deliveries starting June 14.
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The agency, citing sources, reports that at a meeting of EU national diplomats on July 21, at least 12 of the 27 member states expressed concern about the EC proposal to reduce gas consumption. Bloomberg writes that Italy, Poland and Hungary made comments on the plan.
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