Europe faces “unprecedented risks” of suffering gas shortages this winter, the International Energy Agency has said. The threat to natural gas supplies comes after Russia cut off most pipeline shipments.
EU countries would need to reduce use by 13% over the winter in case of a complete Russian cut-off amid the war in Ukraine, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned in its quarterly gas report. It said that consumers would need to cut back by turning down thermostats by one degree and adjusting boiler temperatures.
Industries and utilities in EU countries would also be expected to conserve gas. On Friday, the EU agreed to mandate a reduction in electricity consumption by at least 5% during peak price hours.
