EU countries agree to cut gas consumption by 15%

The 27 EU member states have agreed to voluntarily reduce gas consumption by 15 percent from 1 August this year to the end of March 2023 compared to the same period of the last five years.

This was agreed by energy ministers meeting in Brussels, July 26. According to Brussels, the 15 percent reduction is equivalent to 45 billion cubic meters of gas.

Bulgaria's outgoing energy minister did not attend the meeting. Bulgaria was represented by its deputy permanent representative to the EU.

The EC proposal to reduce consumption was not supported only by Hungary.

The decision comes against the backdrop of Gazprom's announcement of a 20% cut in supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.

Brussels' plan also includes a mechanism for mandatory gas consumption cuts, which could be triggered in the event of a crisis if five EU countries request it. Some member states, such as the island states, the Baltic republics and some southern countries, will get derogations because of differences in their dependence on Russian natural gas and connectivity to pipelines.

Bulgaria supports Brussels' plan for a 15 percent reduction in natural gas consumption.