EU approves decision to cut gas consumption by 15% this winter
The Council of the European Union approved the decision to cut gas consumption by 15% this winter By reducing consumption by 15%, the EU wants to “save in anticipation of winter in order to prepare for possible interruptions in gas supplies from Russia.” The measure will be voluntary, but in case of a serious threat to supplies, it may become mandatory /webp” media=”(max-width: 320px) and (min-resolution: 192dpi)” >< source srcset="https://s0.rbk.ru/v6_top_pics/resized/800xH/media/img/8/99/756597092315998.webp 800w" type="image/webp" media="(max-width: 400px) and (min-resolution: 192dpi)" >< source srcset="https://s0.rbk.ru/v6_top_pics/resized/1200xH/media/img/8/99/756597092315998.webp 1200w" type="image/webp" media="(min-resolution: 192dpi) " >
The Council of the EU has approved a plan to combat the energy crisis, which involves reducing gas consumption by 15% this winter, according to its website.
The voluntary reduction in gas consumption in the EU will be valid until March 31, 2023, after which the European Commission will consider the possibility of its extension. The purpose of this measure— “to save in anticipation of winter in order to prepare for possible interruptions in gas supplies from Russia, which constantly uses energy as a weapon,” the Council of Europe said.
The EU countries agreed to reduce gas consumption by 15% on July 26 . The reduction is based on the average consumption of a particular country over the past five years.
The measure will be voluntary, and the countries themselves will choose the ways in which the result will be achieved. However, the plan also provides for the possibility of declaring “Allied Alert”— it can be introduced if there is a serious threat to the stability of supplies. In this case, the restriction of consumption for countries— Member States will become mandatory.
The plan also provides for a number of exceptions. In particular, EU countries that are not connected to the gas networks of other EU countries are exempted from the requirement. In addition, merger members can request easing if they have exceeded storage capacity targets or if their critical industries are heavily dependent on gas.
The European Union agreed to reduce gas consumption against the backdrop of a reduction in pumping through Nord Stream 1— one of the main routes for Russian gas supplies to Europe.
Read on RBC Pro Pro How much work you need to be happy Instructions Pro How outgoing Western companies will vacate 700,000 sq. m. m of space kids can't be leaders Instructions Pro Alibaba founder Jack Ma: “I want to die on the beach, not in the office” Articles Pro Hot peak: why everyone needed real estate in the UAE ArticlesSince mid-June, Gazprom repeatedly reduced pumping through the pipeline. Since July 27, it has been operating at 20% capacity. The company explained the decision by the fact that they could not get a turbine from the German company Siemens Energy. The unit was repaired at a factory in Canada and was not sent due to sanctions. Later it was handed over to Russia through Germany. However, the turbine has still not been received by the company.
Gazprom said it needs official clarification from the EU and the UK that the repair and transportation of turbines will not fall under sanctions (clarifications from the UK are needed, since it is the British “daughter” of Siemens Energy that maintains the turbine on an ongoing basis). In this way, the company wants to insure its property, the Kremlin explained.
Siemens Energy and the European Union also believe that Russia uses gas as a political weapon, constantly finding “some reasons” due to which it is not can take the turbine. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied these accusations, saying that anti-Russian sanctions were the cause of supply problems.
Authors Tags Subscribe to VK RBC Get news faster than anyone else