EU member states agreed to reduce the amount of natural gas this winter by 15%

Xinhua News Agency, Brussels, July 26 (Reporter Kang Yi) EU member states reached a political agreement on the 26th to take voluntary measures to reduce the demand for natural gas this winter by 15%to improve EU energy supply security.

According to this agreement, EU member states agreed to reduce natural gas demand by 15%on the basis of the average 5 years in the past 5 years from August 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. If the shortage of natural gas supply at that time, the EU will take mandatory measures to reduce the demand for natural gas.

The EU Council stated that reducing the demand for natural gas is to save costs before the winter coming, and prepare for Russia's natural gas supply.

At the same time, in response to the special circumstances of different member states, in order to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the agreement, the EU Council exempted from some member states. Among them, member states who do not have the interconnection with other member states are not forced to reduce the need to reduce the demand for natural gas; member states that are not synchronized with the European power system and the European power system can also be exempted to avoid the crisis of power supply.

The European Commission will review it before May 2023 according to the overall situation of the EU's natural gas supply to consider whether the agreement is postponed.

EU's rotating chairman of the Czech Republic of Industry and Trade Joseph Hikura said in a statement issued by the EU Council on the day of the EU Council that the proposal can quickly strengthen the common energy security by undoubtedly enabling the EU people and enterprises to this winter this winter Life becomes cheaper and easier.

The European Union member Kadri Simatong, who is responsible for energy affairs, said at a press conference that day that active reduction of natural gas demand can avoid making decisions in a hurry or unilaterally when it is too late. This will help to save in the most effective way and minimize the impact on the people and enterprises. The impact of action on the economy now will be much smaller.

Since June this year, Russia has sharply reduced supply to European natural gas, which has led to an intensification of "gas shortage" in Europe and the price of natural gas has soared.

[Responsible editor: Qianzhong Bing]

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