Today, the Commission proposed to extend the EU’s emergency legislation for the coordinated reduction of natural gas demand by one year, after it expires on 31 March 2023. Amid pressures on the global gas market, it is important that Europe prepares now for next winter. Continued gas savings will help the EU meet its stockpile targets and maintain a stable supply. Reducing demand and improving its management can also contribute to reducing price volatility.

The Commissioner of Energy Ms. Kadri Simpson stated in this regard: “Our collective efforts to reduce natural gas demand were crucial to getting us through the winter safely. We have made good progress in diversifying our supply and weaning ourselves from Russia, but the pressures on global gas markets are expected to continue in the coming months. Continued reductions in natural gas demand will prepare us for next winter and allow us to meet our goal of 90% stockpiles by November 1st. I count on the support of the member states so that we can continue this effort together at the EU level.”

The voluntary reduction in gas demand was introduced last year as part of the Save Gas for a Safe Winter Plan, one of the key measures to tackle the energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Thanks to voluntary contributions, EU-wide gas demand fell by more than 19% between August and January 2023, surpassing the 15% target and allowing Europe to save around 42 billion cubic meters of natural gas. These savings significantly eased pressures from supply cuts from Russia.

Under today’s proposal, the agreed voluntary target of reducing natural gas demand by 15% for the period from 1 August 2022 to 31 March 2023 will be maintained until March 2024. In addition, Member States will have to submit data on the savings they achieve per month, instead of bimonthly. Reporting should be done by sector to improve monitoring and targeting of national measures. The proposal, under Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, will be discussed by EU energy ministers at the next Energy Council meeting on 28 March.

Alongside the proposal, the Commission has today published a report outlining how the current gas demand reduction regulation has worked so far, as well as a Commission staff working document which analyzes gas demand and demand reduction in detail.

Lena Flitzani