Modified to allow exemption or relaxation of the mandatory reduction target in response to opposition from some member countries
The European Union (EU) Council, the body representing the governments of 27 member states, said on the 26th (local time) that member countries reached a political agreement to voluntarily reduce natural gas demand by 15% this winter in order to strengthen the security of energy supply in the region. said.
The EU Council could also issue a ‘joint alert’ on supply security, in which case a reduction in gas demand would be mandatory.
The EU Council added that this is to conserve gas ahead of winter, in case of possible disruptions in gas supplies from Russia, which uses energy as a weapon.
As a result, EU member states have agreed to reduce gas demand by 15% compared to the average consumption over the past five years through measures chosen by each country from August 1 to March 31 next year.
The EU Council has also specified some circumstances under which a reduction in mandatory reduction targets may be requested or exempted to reflect the specific circumstances of each Member State and to ensure that gas demand reductions are effective in enhancing supply security in the region.
The EU Council states that Member States that are not connected to the gas grids of other Member States are exempt from mandatory gas reductions, and that countries with grids that are not synchronized with the European electricity system and are highly dependent on gas for electricity production are also exempt to avoid electricity supply crises. said that
The EU Council also added that the Commission would propose to trigger a ‘joint alert’ when there is a significant risk of a severe gas shortage or exceptionally high gas demand, but the alert will be triggered through an action decision by the Council.
Member States also agreed that if measures to reduce gas demand are chosen, measures that do not affect individual households or essential service sectors such as health and defense should be given priority.
Possible actions include reducing gas consumption in the electricity sector, encouraging industry to switch to fuels, raising national awareness campaigns and imposing selective mandates to reduce heating and cooling.
The agreement is expected to be formally adopted through a written process within a few days.
The agreement included amendments such as adding various exemptions related to gas reduction obligations as the gas use reduction plan originally proposed by the European Commission met resistance from member states, and requiring the invocation of the gas use reduction target mandatory through a decision of the board of directors rather than the executive. contained
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said of the agreement: “The EU has taken decisive steps to counter Putin’s threat of a complete gas supply disruption. I’m ready,” he said.
The EU Council also announced on the same day that it has decided to extend the existing economic sanctions against Russia in relation to military attacks on Ukraine by six months until January 31 next year.
/yunhap news