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EU softens gas consumption curbs in sign energy crisis reducing

The European Commission has asked EU nations to keep suppressing their gas use however softened the policy to be entirely voluntary, in a sign of optimism that the worst of Europe's energy crisis is over.

European Union nations set a voluntary target in 2022 to cut their gas usage 15% during cold weather - one of numerous emergency situation measures passed after Russia slashed gas deliveries to Europe, setting off a crisis of tight supply and record-high prices.

The European Commission on Tuesday recommended that nations continue to suppress gas use by 15%, compared with average usage throughout 2017-2022.

However, it got rid of a choice, agreed in 2022, that might have made the 15% gas cut mandatory in a supply crisis.

EU diplomats stated some nations viewed the policy as no longer essential since the peak of Europe's energy crisis has passed, and European countries have consistently slashed their gas need because Russia's February 2022 intrusion of Ukraine.

But they stated couple of were outright opposed to the suggestion, and EU countries' energy ministers were most likely to accept it at a meeting next month.

The Commission stated Europe's energy supply circumstance had significantly enhanced, as nations have actually changed Russian supplies with renewable energy and gas from other suppliers.

Tight worldwide gas markets and the EU's objective to entirely stop Russian fossil fuels meant continued energy savings were required, it said.

The rate of gas in Europe has actually fallen this month to near-three-year lows. EU nations are emerging from this winter season with abnormally full gas storage caverns - at around 64% of capacity, Gas Facilities Europe information show.

EU countries' gas use fell by 18% in the period from August 2022, when gas costs hit all-time highs, and December 2023, from normal levels, the European Commission stated.

Gas need reductions are of course not driven by the target itself, but by a mix of drivers, said Simone Tagliapietra, senior fellow at think-tank Bruegel.

Factors that have actually curbed Europe's gas usage consist of reduced commercial activity, mild winter season temperatures and increased generation from renewable resource, he included.

(source: Reuters)