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EU proposes extending energy crisis measure to curb gas demand
(Reuters, 20 Mar 2023) The European Commission on Monday proposed extending for a year an emergency measure to curb gas demand that is set to expire in order to help the continent get through next winter.
The European Commission on Monday proposed that EU countries extend for a year an emergency measure to curb gas demand for the next 12 months, to help prepare Europe to get through next winter with scarce Russian gas.
Europe is emerging from winter with a more stable energy supply than was feared last year, after Russia cut off most gas supplies in the months following its invasion of Ukraine - squeezing supply and triggering record-high prices.
The Commission said countries should extend, from April until March 2024, a voluntary target to curb their gas demand by 15% versus their 2017-2022 average consumption. The target was due to expire at the end of March.
EU countries slashed their combined gas use by 19% from August to January 2023 helped by an unusually warm winter.
Soaring prices helped curb industrial output and the EU and national governments encouraged consumers to reduce their energy consumption.
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Reuters, 20 Mar 2023: EU proposes extending energy crisis measure to curb gas demand
