Balkans | The European Union needs to reduce gas consumption until next winter

He stated that the European Union (EU) must continue to take measures to reduce natural gas consumption in order to survive the coming winter period.

The Brussels-based think tank Bruegel’s study “Europe Gas Outlook 2023” has been published.

According to the study, the likelihood of an energy crisis in the European Union this winter has decreased due to the emergency measures implemented last year and the warmer winter months.

According to the study, as the forecast for the coming winter is not yet clear, it is expected that the European Union will have to fill its gas tanks for the coming winter, reduce consumption and compete with China in LNG supplies.

In this context, gas storage facilities must be 90 percent full in particular until October 1, 2023.

In order not to face an energy crisis next winter, the European Union needs to extend the period of the decision to reduce gas demand, which will end on March 31, 2023, and reduce the demand for gas to fill storage.

Next winter, the EU must cut its gas demand by 13 percent if natural gas from Russia continues to flow through pipelines at current levels and temperatures remain within seasonal norms.

It is expected that if the natural gas supplied by pipelines from Russia is completely cut off and the winter is cold, more drastic measures will be required, in which case the EU may have to reduce gas demand by 26 percent in order to survive. . winter period.

On the other hand, the implementation period for the European Union’s decision to reduce demand for natural gas by 15 percent expires next month. Member States are expected to extend this period.

At the end of the EU winter period, gas tanker occupancy is expected to be higher than last year. Currently, gas tanks are at about 73 percent fill level. The EU will also begin joint natural gas purchase contracts this year.

AA