Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Occupied Palestine: A fire broke out in the courtyard of Al-Awda Hospital in the Tal al-Zaatar neighborhood in northern Gaza after IOF fired directly at diesel tanks.
Israeli ambulance: A settler was injured while running to shelter after a rocket was fired from Yemen, and the sirens were activated.
Occupied Palestine: The IOF besieges Al-Awda Hospital in Tal al-Zaatar, north of Gaza, with 160 people inside, including medical personnel and wounded.
Occupied Palestine: IOF: A missile was detected and launched from Yemen, and air defense systems were activated.
Lebanese Health Ministry: One martyr, one wounded in IOF strike on Yater, South Lebanon.
Palestinian sources: Arab-European committee including 30 ambassadors, consuls came under fire by occupation forces in Jenin Refugee Camp, northern West Bank.
Pope Leo XIV: I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid [into Gaza] and to put an end to the hostilities
Palestinian Resistance factions: Occupation expanding its genocidal war through what it calls "Gideon's Chariots" will end in failure just like its former plans.
Palestinian Resistance factions: We warn our people from occupation's plans that aim to push it to move to southern Gaza as a prelude to displacing them from the Gaza Strip.
Iraqi oil minister: Such agreements must be signed by the federal government.

EU: Nations must cut gas demand; business lobby warns of consequences

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Jul 2022 18:02
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

In response to the European Commission's released plans on cutting gas demand by 15% this winter, the EU business lobby warns that gas rationing would be "disastrous".

  • x
  • The European Commission building
    Berlaymont Building of the European Commission

Today, Wednesday, the European Union (EU) presented emergency plans for countries to cut their gas use by 15% from August to March, in comparison with their average consumption in the same period during 2016-2021.

The EU warned that without significant cuts, they could struggle during winter for fuel in the event that Russia cuts off supply.

Read: Macron warns Europe of consequences next winter if it imposes embargo

Europe is racing to fill its gas storage before winter and find other alternatives in case Russia further restricts supplies in retaliation for European support for Ukraine.

The proposal would allow Brussels to make the target obligatory in a supply emergency if the EU announces a substantial risk of significant gas shortages.

A reinforced majority of EU countries will discuss the proposal on Friday before having to approve it at an emergency meeting of their energy ministers on July 26.

The plan has been resisted by some countries that feel their contingency plans do not need the EU's reinforcement. 

Related News

Gas rationing might become a reality in Germany

Among those countries is Poland, which has filled its gas storage to 98% after Moscow cut its supply in April. Others have less gas storage, such as Hungary, which is at 47% full.

EU business lobby warns gas rationing would be 'disastrous'

In this context, the EU's main business lobby warned today that any decision to control economic activity for the purpose of cutting back on Europe's use of Russian gas would result in catastrophic effects.

Markus Beyrer, director general of Business Europe, said the forced curtailment of production "would have disastrous economic effects and often irreversible impact on businesses."

"It should be considered only as an option of very last resort," he added in a brief statement.

German target of reducing dependency on Russian gas unlikely: Moody's

The embargo on Russian coal and a far-reaching halt to oil deliveries has led many EU countries to ask whether a ban on natural gas imports should be rejected by the bloc. Several member states are reluctant to make the decision to suddenly stop importing Russia's natural gas. This includes Germany and Italy who say they are too reliant on gas to cope with a sudden stop of supplies.

In a report published by the rating agency Moody's, "Germany's reliance on Russian gas imports has already been halved to around 30% of imports now from around 60% in 2020 and further diversification of sources is underway, for instance through increased purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG). However, the government's goal of reducing its reliance on Russian gas to 10% by 2024 appears ambitious."

Italy, on the other hand, is better equipped to deal with the energy crisis due to the existing pipelines to North Africa and liquefied gas terminals (LNG). Hence, the country could fully replace the Russian gas supplies by 2025.

Italy has cut its reliance on Russian gas imports to 25%, from about 40% at the start of the year, whereas Germany - the largest European economy - still imports roughly 35% of its gas needs from Russia.

The Ukraine war is causing major dilemmas to European nations as they are now entering into an energy crisis, and the sanctions against Moscow may result in the suspension of Russian gas supplies to the EU.

  • Moscow
  • Europe
  • Russian gas supplies
  • Russian Gas
  • gas shortage
  • European Commission
  • European Union
  • Gas rationing

Most Read

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben-Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

YAF say struck 'Israel's' Ben Gurion Airport with missiles, drones

  • MENA
  • 18 May 2025
Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

Israeli media: Yemen may push 'Israel' towards ceasefire in Gaza

  • MENA
  • 17 May 2025
Martyrs, injuries in violent Israeli bombardment of southern Gaza

Israeli operation fails; IOF launch violent strikes on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 19 May 2025
Rachel Accurso criticized for speaking out on Gaza children crisis

Ms. Rachel accused of antisemitism for speaking out for Gaza children

  • Politics
  • 20 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
Gulf investments quietly boosted Elon Musk and family fortunes
US & Canada

Gulf investments quietly boosted Elon Musk and family fortunes

A 3D render of China's planned 'drone mothership' Credit: X/@XH_Lee23
US & Canada

China unveils drone mothership capable of swarm attacks

Relatives of Venezuelan migrants deported by the US to a Salvadoran prison protested outside the UN building in Caracas on April 9, 2025 (AP)
US & Canada

At least 50 migrants deported to El Salvador prison entered US legally

A city bus goes by the historic city of Santiago, Spain during a major power outage across Spain and Portugal on April, 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Europe

Spain hit by major phone network outage weeks after nation blackout

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS