European Commission President says ‘Europe must be ready’ for Russian cuts
This Wednesday (07/20/2022), the European Commission called on the EU countries (European Union) to reduce gas consumption by 15% from August 1st this year to March 31st, 2023. The measure is aimed at preparing the continent for possible reductions and cuts in gas supplies by Russia.
“Russia is blackmailing us. Russia uses energy as a weapon,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. She added that “Europe must be ready” to halt some or all Russian supplies.
In Europe, there are fears that Moscow will shut down the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline due to sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, adding to the impact of the energy crisis on the continent. The gas pipeline is one of the most important bringing energy to the continent.
Gazprom, the Russian stateowned gas company responsible for Nord Stream 1, said it could not guarantee supplies to Europe due to “extraordinary” circumstances.
The EU’s goal in reducing consumption is to ensure gas storage tanks are 80% full by November 1, when temperatures across the continent start to drop. According to von der Leyen, the current level is 64%.
“For the first time, we need to address our energy security at EU level. To do this, we need to reduce our gas consumption and store the saved gas. It’s a big request to the entire block, but it’s necessary to protect us,” von der Leyen said.
The call for a reduction in consumption is part of a plan to help countries prepare for the European winter period when gas consumption is higher. The document will be debated by nations on Friday (July 22) and is due to be voted on July 26.
“At the moment the goal is ambitious. In the case of a European tender, the 15% is obligatory. The faster we act, the more we save, the safer we become,” said the President of the European Commission.