From obligation to recommendation: extension of the gas demand cut on the table of governments

Brussels – Reducing gas demand is no longer an obligation but a recommendation. The European Commission proposed today (Feb. 27) to governments to extend emergency measures to incentivize gas demand reduction, but turning the (mandatory) regulation into a (non-binding) recommendation.

Emergency legislation to voluntarily reduce gas demand by 15 percent from the average consumption of the past five years was passed in August 2022, at the height of the energy crisis driven by Russia’s war in Ukraine. A year ago, European energy ministers decided to extend the regulation for another year, to March 31, 2024. “With the situation more stable than it has been for the past two years, the Commission is now proposing the adoption of a Council Recommendation on continued gas demand reduction measures,” the European Commission said in a note. The proposal will be on the table of energy ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday for a green light. “Gas savings by businesses and citizens across the EU have made an important contribution to tackling the energy crisis, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago.,” the Commission notes, recalling how collectively the EU has reduced gas demand by 18 percent between August 2022 and December 2023, saving some 101 billion cubic meters of gas. These efforts go above and beyond the 15 percent savings target agreed upon in the emergency legislation “were essential to preserve stable supplies, stabilise energy markets in the EU, and show solidarity with Ukraine,” the Commission concludes.

“Collective reduction of gas use has been a success and a part of our strategy to tackle the energy crisis. The way EU citizens and companies have all contributed to this effort is remarkable,” said European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. “Today, the EU is clearly in a better position than two years ago. Still, uncertainties remain, and we need to do more to fully end our gas imports from Russia. Therefore, I encourage European households and business to keep saving gas whenever possible. This will help us keep our energy bills affordable and economy stronger, while standing by Ukraine as Putin continues his brutal aggression.