- In the case of Spain, this 'mattress' has already reached 82%, with the south in a more comfortable position.
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| View of the North Stream. |
The EU is approaching the 80% gas reserve target to face the winter with more margin against Putin
The European Union assumes that the winter will be harsh but is already taking steps to have enough margin against a possible total supply cut by Russia. Thus, gas reserves in the block are already close to 77%, very close to the target of 80%. Even some Member States exceed that goal, as is the case of Spain (82%). The south, in fact, works from a more comfortable position because they are not so dependent on Moscow from an energy point of view; Even Italy, with more links in this regard, is already at 79% reserves.
This has been confirmed by the Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, from the Summer Courses of the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander. The French leader has assured that the EU will have "coal, fuel, kerosene, and electricity this winter", but he needs to alleviate the problem from the point of view of gas.
The roadmap of the 27 is gradual. The first objective is to ensure that the gas reserves of each Member State are at least at 80% of their capacity next November, but it also sets a threshold of 90% for the following winter seasons and a reserve level of 85%. of the total storage capacity of the EU as a whole this year. That plan is managed until the end of 2025.
Precisely from Italy, then still prime minister, Mario Draghi, assured that he does not fear a total cut by Putin when winter arrives and also pointed out that the transalpine country's energy relationship with Russia will end in 2024. "Last year, about 40% of our gas imports came from Russia. Today, the average is about half," he said. Likewise, he stressed that this is a fundamental objective "for national security" and claimed the agreements reached with both Algeria and Azerbaijan so that they become priority partners.
Meanwhile, countries are approving their energy-saving plans. For two weeks, Spain has been applying temperature control and selective shutdown measures that affect public buildings (unoccupied at the time), private businesses, and some monuments. Over the months, it will also apply boiler reviews and a series of instructions for citizens. Something similar has been approved by Germany, as has Italy and the United Kingdom. In the British case, they do not rule out tougher measures when the summer ends.
By contrast, France will present its project next Monday, but has already announced that it will not impose "energy restrictions on citizens." Currently, the Gallic country has filled its gas reserves to 88% of its capacity and the goal is for them to be 100% full before the start of winter. Emmanuel Macron also plans to visit Algeria to close more energy deals.
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