The European Union Thursday adopted a regulation that extends the EU member states’ voluntary 15 percent gas demand reduction target, for one year.

“I am glad that the Council proceeded to swiftly adopting this regulation. Gas savings are crucial for the EU to reach its gas storage goals and be prepared ahead of next winter,” commented Ebba Busch, Swedish Minister for energy, whose country holds the current EU Presidency.

The new regulation sets a voluntary target for EU member states to reduce their natural gas consumption by 15 percent between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, compared to their average consumption in the period between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2022.

EU Member states can choose the measures, by which they want to reach the target, said an EU statement.

Source: Kuwait News Agency