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Date Published: 27/07/2022

ARCHIVED - Spain and EU compromise on a 7 per cent gas reduction

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Spain insists that there will be no gas shortage or rationing of energy this winter

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spain and EU compromise on a 7 per cent gas reduction

The EU this week approved a six-month extension on the sanctions levied against Russia, which will include restrictions on finance, energy, technology and dual-use goods, as well as industry, transport and consumer and luxury goods. These measures bring the ominous possibility of a gas supply cut one step closer, and in recent days Brussels hinted that it would impose a 15% energy use reduction on member states if this happens.

Spain flatly refused to adhere to this, and on Tuesday July 26, Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, broke the news that the EU had agreed that Spain would be allowed to cut its gas demand by just 7%, and that even this would remain completely voluntary for the moment.

In the event that Russia does cut off its gas supply to Europe, Brussels wants nations to be well prepared for the winter; reducing energy usage now will allow countries to save up their natural gas for the colder months.

Several other countries have been granted exceptions, but Spain stands out as more secure than most since it is not as dependent on Russian gas and has the capacity to redirect a good part of its energy to where it is needed the most.

"We are the most important port of entry for liquefied natural gas for the whole of the EU," said Ribera, who underlined that this Tuesday's agreement allows "strengthening that capacity for the benefit of all”. She insisted that the Spanish government doesn’t “contemplate any change in the availability of resources” over the winter and that it’s highly unlikely that this country will suffer any kind of supply problem.

The government is currently working on its savings and contingency plan which will ask for “consumption responsibility” to avoid any kind of rationing measures. The plan is set to include requests that households “monitor” the temperature their thermostats are set on while bigger businesses and customers will be expected to “maximise efficiency” to cut down on gas usage.

Image: Flickr

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