EU Commission calls on countries to cut energy demands as costs surge

The European Commission has urged countries to decrease their energy consumption, particularly for gas and electricity, in order to mitigate rising costs due to a global energy crisis. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, in a letter addressed to EU ministers on September 25, suggested that reducing demand could be an effective way to keep prices manageable.

The letter, obtained by POLITICO, encouraged ministers to implement measures to limit demand for these resources "for as long as necessary." While acknowledging that the situation is "challenging," Jørgensen noted that there are currently "no immediate risks to security of supply." Europe's gas reserves are at historically low levels, at 68% of capacity, down from 71% at the same time in 2021, just before a major energy crisis emerged following the Covid-19 pandemic and the start of the war in Ukraine.

The EU had set a target to fill gas storage to 90% by November, but this requirement was softened in March, allowing countries to aim for 80% this year to prevent panic buying and help keep costs down. Jørgensen emphasized that any price regulation measures taken by EU countries should be "well-targeted" and "temporary" to prevent an increase in demand.