The European Commission can declare a situation of emergency in the European Union (EU) or regional in the face of a possible cut in the supply of Russian gas, with rationing and reduction of the flow being measures of last resort.
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 may declare a Union emergency or a regional emergency for a specifically affected geographical region, 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”, aiming then “to ensure that the gas flows to the countries and customers most affected 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 supply.
In the document, Brussels explains that, under the regulation on the 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”, being defined three national crisis levels (early alert, alert and emergency).
“The measures that 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, concluding that “the general principle is that restrictions on the flow of 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 disclose on Wednesday, suggesting that “gas should be saved for a safe winter”, at a time when fears are being raised. total disruption of Russian supplies to Europe due to geopolitical tensions over the Ukraine war.
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 a reduction in consumption, as in industries.
The war in Ukraine, caused by the Russian invasion of the country at the end of last February, aggravated the energy crisis in which the EU already found itself, with fears of reduced supply (notably by the Russian supplier Gazprom) leading to historically high and volatile energy sources, 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 the global gross domestic energy consumption in Europe.
