Safe gas for a safe winter

Author (Corporate)
Series Details COM (2022) 360
Publication Date 20/07/2022
Content Type , ,

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 20 July 2022, setting out measures aimed at tackling further disruption in gas supplies from Russia in a coordinated manner ahead of the winter season.

Further information:

Russia's invasion of Ukraine further added to the volatility of energy markets, fuelling energy insecurity across the world and with particular impact on the European Union (EU) and its immediate neighbourhood. In May 2022, the European Commission adopted its REPowerEU strategy aimed at bringing dependence on Russian gas to an end as soon as possible. However, there is an understanding that the EU should accelerate its preparations for the immediate impact that potential further disruptions - including a complete cut-off - of Russian gas supplies could have. The European Council requested in May and June 2022 that such preparations were carried out as a matter of urgency.

This Communication provides an overview of a further set of actions that complement measures already in place to prepare for disruption. This is known as the Safe Gas for Winter package. It focuses on the demand side. It reviews the existing situation and the steps already taken, and it outlines the tools that the EU has available to respond. It also proposes additional actions for a coordinated demand reduction, and a ramping up of the EU's joint efforts on supply. Among the actions, the Commission put forward a new European Gas Demand Reduction Plan (annex of the Communication) and a draft Council Regulation envisaging an immediate recommendation for a voluntary gas demand reduction in all Member States, as well as a process to trigger a binding demand reduction target should it became necessary.

Source Link https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2022:360:FIN
Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
International Monetary Fund (IMF): Blog, 19/07/2022: How a Russian Natural Gas Cutoff Could Weigh on Europe’s Economies https://blogs.imf.org/2022/07/19/how-a-russian-natural-gas-cutoff-could-weigh-on-europes-economies/
France24, 19/07/2022: Can Europe keep the heating on this winter amid Russian gas crunch? https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220719-can-europe-keep-the-heating-on-this-winter-amid-russian-gas-crunch
Vox, 20/07/2022: Europe’s gas crisis is here https://www.vox.com/2022/7/20/23270078/europe-russia-gas-nord-stream-ukraine-war
Politico, 20/07/2022: Europe’s war economy gets real https://www.politico.eu/article/europes-war-economy-gas-inflation/
Emerging Europe: News & Analysis, 20/07/2022: Is Europe about to call Russia’s bluff over gas supplies? https://emerging-europe.com/news/is-europe-about-to-call-russias-bluff-over-gas-supplies/

News
Politico, 19/07/2022: EU braces for Russian gas shutoff as economic crisis looms https://www.politico.eu/article/unplanned-gas-shut-off-to-cost-eu-up-to-1-5-percent-of-gdp-commission/
The Guardian, 20/07/2022: EU urges member states to slash gas use by 15% to counter ‘Russian blackmail’ https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/20/eu-urges-member-states-to-slash-gas-use-by-15
EurActiv, 20/07/2022: Brussels lays out EU gas crisis plan ahead of coming winter https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/brussels-lays-out-eu-gas-crisis-plan-ahead-of-coming-winter/
EUObserver, 20/07/2022: EU Commission set to unveil gas-reduction plan https://euobserver.com/green-economy/155591
Reuters, 20/07/2022: EU tells members to cut gas usage amid new Putin warning https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/europe-races-cut-russian-gas-usage-amid-new-putin-warning-2022-07-20/
BBC News, 20/07/2022: EU told to prepare for Russian gas shut-off https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62230201
Euronews, 20/07/2022: EU must cut gas use by 15% this winter over Russian disruption fears, Commission says https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/07/20/eu-must-cut-gas-use-by-15-this-winter-over-russian-disruption-fears-commission-says
Deutsche Welle, 21/07/2022: Russian gas again flowing into Europe via Nord Stream 1 pipeline https://p.dw.com/p/4EQzh
The Guardian, 21/07/2022: Russia resumes gas supply to Europe via Nord Stream at lower capacity https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/21/russia-resumes-gas-supply-to-europe-via-nord-stream-at-lower-capacity

Official
European Commission: Press Release, 20/07/2022: Save Gas for a Safe Winter: Commission proposes gas demand reduction plan to prepare EU for supply cuts https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_4608
European Commission: Questions and Answers on the EU ”Save Gas for a Safe Winter” Plan (20 July 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_4609
European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen on the ‘Save gas for a safe winter' Package (20 July 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_4626
European Commission: Opening remarks by Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioner Simson and Commissioner Breton at the press conference on the Save Gas for a Safe Winter package (20 July 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_4631

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