Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, highlighted the progress of energy savings across many European Union member states. The aim is clear: secure reliable supplies for the cold season ahead while reducing dependence on external gas sources.
The EC leadership emphasized that energy efficiency efforts are essential for Europe’s energy resilience. A community emergency plan to lower gas demand within the European Union is already in place, and several Member States have voluntarily adopted measures that push toward the shared objective of cutting gas use. The target is a reduction of at least 15 percent in gas consumption compared with the five year average. This figure has been communicated by EC spokespeople and is part of a broader strategy to safeguard energy supplies during potentially tight winter conditions. Commission
Four days after the European Council endorsed a voluntary gas-saving scheme across the 27 countries, authorities have warned about possible shortages in the next winter in the context of Russia reducing supplies to multiple Member States. The plan includes a regulatory framework that allows the Council to activate a warning level which could trigger cuts in security of supply if needed. Commission
A voluntary plan is currently scheduled to run from August 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The goal remains a 15 percent reduction in gas consumption relative to the average of the previous five years. In practice this means the implementation of energy-saving measures across homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure to ensure that gas remains available where it matters most. Commission
The rules recognize several exemptions to address national circumstances. In particular, Spain and Portugal may limit reductions to a 7 percent level when interconnections with other European partners are limited. These flexibilities help tailor the framework to regional realities while preserving the overarching objective of safeguarding energy security. Commission