Why exactly 15 percent?
Von der Leyen’s proposal to use 15 percent less gas in all EU countries is not out of the blue. In practice, a saving of 15 percent would mean about 45 billion cubic meters of gas. That is exactly the shortage that threatens to arise if Russia stops supplying Europe with gas at all next winter.
“If Russia completely cuts off the gas supply, there could be a gap of 30 billion cubic meters in an average winter, a gap of 45 billion cubic meters in a cold winter, or even more in an exceptionally cold winter,” said European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs. Energy Kadri Simson. “And that despite the extra supplies of non-Russian gas via LNG and pipelines.”
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