What does the EU’s gas rationing plan mean for Europe?

Energy ministers backed the plan after bloc agreed to ‘water down’ restrictions

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants member states to present a united front on energy supply
(Image credit: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

EU energy ministers have agreed to plans to reduce gas usage across the bloc this winter in a bid to protect against further supply cuts by Russia.

All 27 member states apart from Hungary are backing proposals to reduce gas consumption by 15% from August to March. But the number of exemptions demanded by EU nations has forced the European Commission to “water down” its original plan, said The Guardian.

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Richard Windsor is a freelance writer for The Week Digital. He began his journalism career writing about politics and sport while studying at the University of Southampton. He then worked across various football publications before specialising in cycling for almost nine years, covering major races including the Tour de France and interviewing some of the sport’s top riders. He led Cycling Weekly’s digital platforms as editor for seven of those years, helping to transform the publication into the UK’s largest cycling website. He now works as a freelance writer, editor and consultant.