Brussels wants to be ahead of Putin, bets on 15 percent less gas this winter | Economy

Brussels pulled out all the stops this afternoon, including Commission President von der Leyen and Vice-President Timmermans, to present his long-awaited plan ‘Save gas for a safe winter’. Much of the implementation is for the Member States, nothing is mandatory at this stage, but that could change if the situation worsens.

The Commission is already asking the Member States for a mandate for binding measures in an absolute crisis situation, even though it assumes for the time being that energy savings, a faster transition to clean energy and solar/wind, nuclear energy and, if necessary, even temporarily coal instead of gas for power generation are enough to reach the 15% (compared to the average use per Member State over the past five years). The Commission is taking the next eight months (from 1 August to 31 March) to do this and insists that every cubic meter saved in the summer months will not cost cold feet in the winter.

“Europe must step up its preparations to deal with the direct consequences of further disruptions, including a complete shutdown of Russian gas supplies,” the commission warned. Campaigns must be launched or stepped up everywhere to encourage households and businesses to lower the thermostat and water temperature in their homes, offices and factories. The government must lead by example and take measures in public areas.

In the proposal, the EU’s executive board lists a series of suggestions for energy savings in industry, where switching to energy sources other than gas is a priority and can also be subsidized in certain cases. It encourages companies to work together and, for example, to temporarily take over production in the event of gas shortages in a certain region.

The message is certainly also addressed to households. By setting the heating a little less high and the air conditioning a little less low, by using the tumble dryer a little less and not having any lights on in rooms where you are not, you lower your own bill. And, according to Brussels, if everyone does that, we might even get the price down due to the reduced demand.

The coming months will be tense, which is why Brussels wants to be prepared for anything. Member States must update their national emergency plans by the end of September. There are detailed scenarios for how they help each other, and which large consumers are disconnected first in times of scarcity. The plans will immediately go to the member states and will be discussed at ambassador level this afternoon.

The EU is not ready to run without Russian fuel yet, although it has committed to reduce its dependence on it as soon as possible. This can be done by purchasing elsewhere and switching more quickly to green and renewable energy. The member states have also agreed to fill the gas storage to 80 or, if possible, 90 percent before 1 November, but it is not certain that these percentages will be achieved.

Member States must agree to the proposals. An extra meeting of energy ministers has therefore been scheduled in Brussels next week.