Spain expects EU member states to reach an agreement to reduce natural gas use during the winter by less than 15% and on a voluntary basis during today’s meeting of energy ministers in Brussels, the Spanish energy minister said. Teresa Ribera attending the meeting.
The Spanish government is opposed to a mandatory reduction in natural gas use, arguing that Spain has invested heavily in infrastructure to import and re-export natural gas to the rest of the European Union.
For her part, the Polish Minister of Energy stated attending the meeting that the European Union’s proposal to reduce natural gas consumption is “neutral” for Poland, if it does not include binding targets.
Anna Moscow stated that Warsaw opposes the imposition of mandatory gas consumption reduction targets on EU countries.
“We cannot accept any decision imposed on countries. Energy security is a national priority,” he said, adding that Poland’s natural gas storage units are full and the country has no need to curtail gas use now. However, he said Warsaw sees the cost of pollution under the EU’s carbon market as a threat to energy security.
The European Union’s proposal to cut gas demand by 15% will not be enough for winter needs, while cuts in Russian gas supplies continue, Irish Environment Minister Eamon Ryan said.
“15% probably won’t be enough, given that the Russians have just announced a further cut in supplies through Nord Stream 1. But it’s better than nothing and I think the message it sends is very important,” he added. the Irish Minister for the Environment attending the meeting.
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock welcomed efforts to coordinate gas-saving measures in the European Union, expressing confidence that the Union will remain united as Russia continues to hurt supplies to Germany and more generally.
“We will not be divided because of the lack of natural gas. On the contrary, we will remain united and this is the most important message to the Russian president,” the German foreign minister said after her talks with her Czech counterpart.
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Source: Capital
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