Energy

EU nations reach deal to reduce gas use by 15% for winter

Ministers sign off on voluntary rules, which may become mandatory under emergency supply situation

The rapid pace of agreement, with the European Commission first proposing the regulation last week, reflects the quickly deteriorating gas flows from Russia. Picture: Getty

European Union countries reached a political agreement to cut their gas use by 15 per cent through next winter as the prospect of a full cut-off from Russian supplies grows increasingly likely.

Member states could ask for a lower mandatory reduction under certain criteria based on their interconnections with other nations, island countries like Ireland for instance.

Energy ministers meeting in Brussels gave the green light to a proposal to voluntarily cut their gas usage ...