Spain expects EU member states to reach an agreement to reduce natural gas use during the winter by less than 15% on a voluntary basis
Europe shows symptoms of polyphony in Commission proposal for a mandatory reduction in the use of natural gas by 15%, as the energy ministers of the member states come with different opinions to the Brussels meeting. However, all are holding out hope for a deal, in the shadow of Moscow’s new flow cut.
Spain expects the member states of the European Union to reach an agreement to reduce the use of natural gas during the winter by less than 15% and on a voluntary basis during today’s meeting of energy ministers in Brussels, said the Spanish energy minister Teresa Ribera coming to the meeting.
The Spanish government is opposed to a mandatory reduction in natural gas use, arguing that Spain has invested heavily in infrastructure to import and re-export natural gas to the rest of the European Union.
On her part, Polish Minister of Energy she stated coming to the meeting that the European Union’s proposal to reduce natural gas consumption is “neutral” for Poland, if it does not include binding targets. Anna Moscow stated that Warsaw opposes the imposition of mandatory gas consumption reduction targets on EU countries.
“We cannot accept any decision imposed on the countries. Energy security is a national priority,” he said, adding that Poland’s natural gas storage units are full and the country has no need to curtail gas use now. However, he said Warsaw sees the cost of pollution under the EU’s carbon market as a threat to energy security.
The proposal of the European Union to limit by 15% the demand for natural gas it won’t be enough for winter needs, while cuts in the supply of Russian natural gas continue, Irish Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said.
“15% probably won’t be enough, given that the Russians have just announced a further cut in supplies through Nord Stream 1. But it’s better than nothing and I think the message it sends is very important,” he added. the Irish Minister for the Environment attending the meeting.
In Berlin, the German Foreign Minister Analena Burbok He welcomed efforts to coordinate measures to save natural gas in the European Union, expressing confidence that the Union will remain united as Russia continues to affect supplies to Germany and more generally.
“We will not break up because of the lack of natural gas. On the contrary, we will remain united and this is the most important message to the Russian president,” said the German foreign minister after her talks with her Czech counterpart.
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection of Germany spoke about Europe’s message to Vladimir Putin that he will not be able to separate it, Robert Habeck, attending the Council of Energy Ministers in Brussels.
He also noted that “there are many compromises in the text now. This is the way Europe works. The problem that could arise is that exemptions create a lot of red tape so that we are very slow in times of crisis. This is a risk.”
He clarified, however, that “the exceptions themselves are reasonable and can be explained. It is an important next step. It shows that Europe stays united, Europe can find unity by sending a message, on a day when flows are down another 20%, to Putin and Russia that you will not divide us. This is the important message of the day”.
“We will analyze the proposal of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a demand reduction mechanism, which will give incentives to energy-intensive industries to reduce their consumption of natural gas,” said the Minister of Energy and Environment Kostas Skrekas. “Also, we will present the Greek proposal for a new pan-European electricity model” he added.
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