The European Commission can declare an emergency situation in the European Union (EU) or regions before a possible cut in the supply of Russian gasbeing measures of last resource the rationing and the reduction of flows.
The measure is provided for in the regulation on the security of gas supply, which emerged after previous energy crises and the taking of measures after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, which provides that “the Commission can declare a Union emergency or a regional emergency for a geographical region specifically affected, at the request of one or more Member States”, says the community executive in the draft of a package that will be published on Wednesday and to which Lusa had access.
“In such cases, the Commission coordinates the actions of the Member States concerned and can act as a moderator if measures are introduced that could unduly restrict the flow of gas to other Member States“, with the aim of “ensuring that gas flows to the most affected countries and customers in an emergency”, adds the institution, in a draft of the communication “Saving gas for a safe winter”, the European plan to reduce gas demand to protect the European Union against possible cuts in Russian supplies.
In the document, Brussels explains that, under the regulation on security of gas supply, “Member States must have national prevention action plans and emergency plans based on common risk assessments carried out by organized regional groups”, defining three levels of national crises (early warning, alert and emergency).
“The measures that the Member States can take at each of these levels are defined in the national emergency plans for the security of gas supply”, adds the European Commission, and concludes that “the general principle is that restrictions on the flow Gas rationing and flow reduction are taken as a last resort, when all other options, such as alternative fuel switching options, have been exhausted.”
At stake is a draft, to which Lusa had access, of the emergency plan for the next cold season that the European Commission will release on Wednesday, suggesting that “save gas for a safe winter“, at a time when there is fear of a complete interruption of Russian supplies to Europe due to geopolitical tensions caused by the war in Ukraine.
The package proposes measures such as the creation of national awareness campaigns, the reduction of heating and cooling and the creation of auction systems or public tenders to encourage the reduction of consumptionas well as industries.
The war in Ukraine, caused by the Russian invasion of the country at the end of last February, exacerbated the energy crisis in which the EU was alreadywith fears of a reduction in supply (particularly by Russian supplier Gazprom) leading to historically high and volatile energy prices, contributing to inflation and creating the risk of a new economic recession in Europe.
Geopolitical tensions due to the war in Ukraine have affected the European energy market, as the EU imports 90% of the gas it consumes, with Russia responsible for around 45% of these imports, at varying levels between member states.
In Portugal, Russian gas represented, in 2021, less than 10% of the total imported.
Gas demand represents 24% of global gross domestic energy consumption in Europe.
Source: Observadora
