The EU Council adopted a resolution to reduce gas consumption by 15%

The Council of the European Union adopted a resolution to reduce natural gas consumption in the coming months by 15%, reported on the council website.

“On August 5, 2022, the council passed a resolution to reduce gas demand by 15% in writing,” the statement said. The document will enter into force the day after its official publication.

July 20 European Commission (EC) outlined emergency plans for countries to reduce gas consumption by 15% until March 2023. The EC also warned countries that, without serious cuts, they could experience fuel difficulties in winter if Russia cuts off supplies. This proposal was not accepted by Hungary, Spain, Portugal and Greece. 26 July EU energy ministers agreed action plan to reduce gas consumption. According to the latest draft, the requirement to reduce gas consumption should not apply to the steel and chemical industries. Also excluded from the plan are those countries that do not depend on Russian gas, i.e. Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, and the Baltic countries that are not connected to the European gas or electricity grid.

Spanish newspaper El Pais informedthat the representatives of Spain and Portugal at a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels agreed to reduce gas demand by 7% instead of the proposed 15%.