Luxembourg Begins Preparations to Reduce Gas Demand by 15% This Winter

On Tuesday 26 July 2022, Luxembourg's Minister for Energy and Spatial Planning, Claude Turmes, participated in the extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council of the European Union (EU).

EU Energy Ministers reached a political agreement at this meeting on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter.

According to Luxembourg's Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning, this meeting marked an important and decisive step to guarantee the security of energy supply in the EU in the event of a total disruption of gas supplies from Russia.

Minister Turmes explained: "Russia uses energy supply as a weapon. The global gas market is constrained and it is impossible to replace every cubic metre of Russian gas with one cubic metre of gas from an alternative source. There was therefore a lack of a coordinated initiative on the demand side: we must reduce our gas consumption as much as possible".

In addition to the agreement to voluntarily reduce natural gas demand by 15% in the coming months, the Council regulation foresees the possibility of triggering a "Union alert" on security of supply, in which case the gas demand reduction would become mandatory for all Member States.

The regulation is an exceptional and extraordinary measure. It will apply for one year and the European Commission will carry out a review to consider its extension in light of the general EU gas supply situation, by May 2023.

Minister Turmes welcomed the adoption of this regulation, specifying: "Even if Luxembourg would be less affected than other countries such as Germany or Austria in the event of a total interruption of Russian deliveries, we must show solidarity and strive to reduce our energy consumption. Reducing demand will also contribute to climate protection and can have a positive effect on stabilising energy prices".

Luxembourg's Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning, together with the other relevant ministries, is in the process of updating the emergency plan relating to the security of natural gas supply in Luxembourg and developing a national strategy for energy demand reduction. Close consultation with all the stakeholders concerned is foreseen. The plan and strategy will be presented in early autumn 2022.

"Luxembourg will contribute to reducing the demand for natural gas through collaboration between the State, municipalities, citizens and businesses. Tips for saving energy are already available on energie-spueren.lu. Together we will take up this challenge", said Minister Turmes.