European Commission plans to propose extension of voluntary gas demand reduction

Article summary

Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1369 of 5 August 2022 on coordinated demand-reduction measures for gas came into force on 6 August 2022. The regulation was originally intended to apply until August 2023. The emergency regulation forms part of a package of emergency measures taken in the course of 2022, establishing rules to address a situation of severe difficulties in the supply of gas, with a view to safeguarding Union security of gas supply. Article 3 of the Regulation requires EU Member States to use their best efforts to reduce their gas consumption in the period from 1 August 2022-31 March 2023 at least by 15 %. In comments made to the European Parliament to mark One Year of REPowerEU, Commissioner, Simson, indicated that the European Commission intends to propose to Member States an extension of this voluntary demand reduction until 2024.