Fears that Russia will cut off gas supplies to the European Union overnight, European Commission Doubling the pressure for 27 Member States to reduce consumption of this product Fossil fuel everything they can. Specifically, the new contingency plan 15% cut in the next eight monthsFrom 1 August to 31 March 2023, at first by voluntary measures.
Despite the possibility of announcing a European warning that if Vladimir Putin decides to completely turn off the gas tap, he will make throttling mandatory in all Member States. Brussels warns that everyone must do their part to achieve the new goal: consumers, public administrations, households, building owners, gas suppliers and industry.
The plan baptized with the name ‘Save gas for a safe winter’notes that all Member States must update before the end of September national emergency plans. In these, they will need to detail the demand reduction measures they plan to adopt to comply with the 15% cut, which, according to Brussels calculations, will save 45,000 million cubic meters of gas.
Report every two months
“With this discount, we will be able to reach winter if there is a complete gas cut from Russia,” said the head of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen. According to the suggestion, Every two months Member States will have to report on progress to the Community Manager.. Countries seeking “solidarity” in gas supply from the remaining Member States will also have to demonstrate that they have taken the promised measures to reduce demand at the local level.
Community Executive to reduce demand in a coordinated way across the EU,r Substitute gas for other fuels through incentives and global energy savings across all sectors In order to guarantee supply to customers or other key industries protected for the economy as well as supply chains. “This summer, if gas is replaced by other fuels and energy is saved, more gas can be stored for the winter. Acting now will reduce the negative impact on GDP by avoiding unforeseen actions in the event of a later crisis”, says the European Commission.
fuel substitution
Brussels recommends exhausting all possibilities of fuel substitution, non-essential savings schemes and alternative energy sources before reaching rationing measures. In addition, Member States should prioritize the transition to renewable energy where possible or to cleaner, less carbon-intensive or less polluting options. But Brussels acknowledges that a transition to coal, oil or nuclear power may be necessary as a temporary measurelong-term carbon lock-in is prevented.
as well as promoting use of other fuels Brussels proposes auction or bidding systems to stimulate industry change in exchange for compensation or public assistance to generate electricity. Reducing heating and air conditioning consumption. In this area, the Commission calls on all Member States to launch campaigns. public awareness to promote the reduction of heating and cooling on a large scale and to set an example by taking these measures in buildings managed by public authorities.
The plan also provides Twenty-Seven with guidelines for determining the hierarchy of “vulnerable” customers or industries – protected customers such as homes, hospitals or schools are exempt from any apportionment measures – when planned outagesin case they share the gas they consume in the future.
The proposal includes economic considerations if they belong to “social criticism” sectors such as health, safety, refineries and defence, as well as economic considerations. environmental servicesas part of cross-border supply chains in critical services, as well as the potential impact on facilities in the event of disruptions and the ability to substitute imported components or products.