Brussels is preparing for coordinated gas supplies on behalf of EU Member States to boost energy security and reduce dependence on Russian hydrocarbons, a plan the 27 are expected to approve at the March 24th and 25th summits.
Inspired by joint supply of vaccines against Covid by the European Commission on behalf of the Member States of the European Union, the strategy aims to diversify the EU’s energy supply.
Aiming to isolate Moscow after the invasion of Ukraine, Brussels is seeking a two-thirds reduction in Russian gas purchases this year.
The 27 leaders are expected to pledge at a summit on Thursday and Friday that “they will work together on joint gas and hydrogen supplies,” according to the draft joint statement.
In practice, the Commission states that it is “ready to set up a joint procurement working group at European Union level. The collection of applications would facilitate contacts with “international suppliers” before next winter and would help ensure “favorable prices” thanks to the financial burden of the European Union.
Under the guidance of a “steering committee” consisting of representatives of the Member States, “a negotiating team led by the European Commission will have contacts with suppliers and prepare the ground for future energy partnerships beyond gas,” according to with the Commission.
Already in contact with producers
Brussels already has talks with the largest gas producers (Norway, USA, Qatar, Algeria) and Commission President Ursula von der Layen met yesterday Monday with the directors of the largest European energy groups (E.ON, Shell, Vatten , TotalEnergies …) to consider future collaborations.
The European Commission also wants to oblige each Member State to cover its strategic gas reserves “at least 80%” by 1 November, and then 90% before each winter in the coming years, with intermediate strategic stock filling rates will be valid during the period February-October.
The text of the draft joint statement unveiled today, which will have to be approved by the states and MEPs, is less ambitious than its previous version, which required 90% of strategic reserves to be covered as early as November 2022. This percentage was repeated yesterday. by Commission Vice-President Maros Sefkovic.
Storage facility managers, certified by independent agencies, “should notify filling authorities to the national authorities”, who “should inform the Commission” on a monthly basis. “A 100% reduction in transfer fees” will encourage stock replenishment.
The European Commission has also presented various options to mitigate the spike in energy prices for consumers, such as setting a ceiling, but they do not meet the consensus between Member States.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
