The Spanish government this Wednesday rejected a proposal from the European Commission for a 15 percent cut in gas consumption in the European Union (EU) until spring, as it prepares for a possible reduction in supplies from Russia.
“We are defending European values, but we cannot make a sacrifice that we have not even been asked to give a preliminary opinion,” Teresa Ribera, third vice president and minister of ecological transition of Spain, said at a press conference.
Teresa Ribera believed that an idea “is not necessarily the most efficient, or the most efficient, or the most just”.
“Whatever happens, Spanish families will not be harmed by a shutdown of gas or electricity in their homes,” he added, insisting that Spain would also “defend the position” of its industry.
The European Commission proposed this Wednesday a target to cut gas consumption in the European Union (EU) by 15% by spring, when there are fears of a reduction in supplies from Russia, acknowledging the start of mandatory demand reductions under the warning.
In a ‘saving gas for a safer winter’ package published this Wednesday, the community leader notes that “the EU faces the risk of further cuts in gas supplies from Russia due to increased gas exports from the Kremlin, nearly half of member states have already been hit by supply cuts.”
“Taking action now can reduce both the risk and cost for Europe in the event of a major or complete disruption, strengthening Europe’s energy resilience, and so the Commission today is proposing a new legislative instrument and the European Energy Demand Reduction Plan. gas usage in Europe by 15% by next spring,” the agency said.
Noting that “all consumers, public administrations, families, public building owners, energy providers and industry can and should take steps to save gas”, the European Commission emphasizes that this will also “accelerate the work on diversification of supplies, including the joint purchase of gas to increase opportunities EU to obtain alternative gas supplies”.
As Lusa already predicted on Tuesday, the European Commission is expected to declare a state of emergency in the European Union (EU) over a possible halt to Russian gas supplies, with rationing and flow reductions being extreme measures.
This specific regional alert is already provided for in the current gas supply security regulation, which emerged after previous energy crises and provides for three national levels of crisis (early alert, alert and emergency), but what Brussels is now proposing is a new regulation on coordinated measures to reduce demand for gas.
“The new regulation will set a target for all Member States to reduce gas demand by 15% between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. The new regulation will also give the Commission the opportunity to announce, after consultation with member states, a “Union Security of Supply Alert, imposing a mandatory reduction in gas demand for all countries,” the agency said in a statement.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
