According to a preliminary analysis by the EC based on reports from EU countries, in August and September, the level of gas consumption will decrease by about 15% compared to the average for the past five years.
“Similar efforts will be required every month until March to comply with the EU Council regulation,” the European Commission said in a statement.
The EC also invited EU countries to announce in advance their intentions to purchase a consignment of gas in the amount of more than 0.5 billion cubic meters in order to assess whether "the goals of security of supply and energy solidarity are being achieved."
In addition, the European Commission insists on obliging EU member states to share gas with each other in the event of an emergency, since not all states have concluded bilateral agreements on solidarity.