European Union leaders have called on member states to reduce gas consumption due to rising energy prices. This was reported by European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen in a letter to the heads of relevant ministries in EU countries. Reuters has reviewed the document.
“I urge you to consider adopting or extending measures that will help replenish gas reserves or reduce gas and electricity consumption as much as necessary,” the letter states.
According to Dan Jørgensen, the European Union is better prepared for winter than it was in 2021. However, EU countries must take additional measures due to the energy supply crisis, the European Commissioner emphasized.
The situation on the global energy market has worsened due to the conflict in the Middle East. This has triggered a rise in fuel prices across various regions. For example, in Germany, the price of diesel reached a historic high of €2.453 per liter in mid-September.
The practical purpose of the call is to simultaneously build up gas reserves earlier and reduce demand for it. In March 2026, the European Commission proposed aiming to fill storage facilities to 80% capacity by winter instead of the usual 90%, and, according to the European Commissioner, early injection should extend the procurement season, ease pressure on prices, and prevent a rush at the end of summer.
The demand-reduction mechanism was already outlined in the EU’s 2022 plan: a 15% reduction in gas consumption from August through March was intended to be voluntary but could become mandatory following the declaration of a pan-European alert, for example, in the event of a complete halt in supplies from Russia. Among the measures envisaged at that time were gas savings in heating and electricity generation, improving energy efficiency, and accelerating the transition to renewable and other low-carbon energy sources.