20 Jul 2022 16:47

European Commission announces plan to reduce gas consumption in EU by 15% by spring 2023

BRUSSELS. July 20 (Interfax) - The European Commission has proposed a new legislative instrument and a European plan to reduce the demand for gas, the European Commission said in a communique.

"Taking action now can reduce both the risk and the costs for Europe in case of further or full disruption, strengthening European energy resilience. The Commission is therefore proposing today a new legislative tool and a European Gas Demand Reduction Plan, to reduce gas use in Europe by 15% until next spring," according to the document, released in Brussels on Wednesday.

"All consumers, public administrations, households, owners of public buildings, power suppliers and industry can and should take measures to save gas," the document said.

"The Commission will also accelerate work on supply diversification, including joint purchasing of gas to strengthen the EU's possibility of sourcing alternative gas deliveries," the document said.

"The new Regulation would set a target for all Member States to reduce gas demand by 15% between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023," the document said.