According to Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Europe can cope with this gas crisis if it remains united, if it organizes itself well and shows solidarity. “Those are the three ingredients that make us strong and enable us to weather any crisis.”
The Commission is asking Member States to update their national emergency plans by the end of September, setting out how they intend to achieve gas savings. The emphasis is on the replacement of gas with other fuels and energy savings in all sectors. The aim is to safeguard supplies for families, essential service providers such as hospitals and certain essential industries.
The Commission emphasizes that Member States should start saving and replacing gas this summer so that more gas can be stored for the winter. “Russia sees gas as a political weapon, so we need to provide a political response at European level,” said European Commissioner Frans Timmermans. “We need to conserve gas now to keep our homes warm and our industry up and running as winter approaches.”
It has already been agreed that the reserves must be 80 percent filled by November. Replacing gas with renewable sources is a priority, but the Commission admits that a temporary switch to coal, oil or nuclear power may also be necessary.
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