The Danish government supports the European Commission's proposal that EU countries must voluntarily reduce their gas consumption by 15 percent to withstand a possible Russian shutdown of the gas tap. This is stated by Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Dan Jørgensen (S). He also states that such a gas reduction will not affect the individual citizen in Denmark from August 1.
- This is not something that the average Dane will notice from one day to the next. We have been preparing for this situation for quite some time in Denmark, says Dan Jørgensen.
The 15 percent reduction is to take place in the period from August 1 to March 23. Dan Jørgensen mentions, among other things, that major changes have taken place in Danish industry to reduce gas consumption.
- This means that we have better opportunities to fill up our stocks. And it is the stocks that must ensure that production can still continue and that people who depend on gas for heating in private homes can still get that heating in a situation where the gas is shut off, says the minister.
On Wednesday, the European Commission presented its proposal to get through the winter despite the lack of gas. In addition to the voluntary part, which should be the first step, the Commission also wants support for - after consultation with the member states - introducing a special state of emergency called "Union Alert".
We welcome the joint European plan
It will give the European Commission the power to impose mandatory reductions in their gas consumption on EU member states. Dan Jørgensen believes that the EU is strongest if the reductions can be made voluntarily.
- I expect many - if not all - will join in, he says.
The minister is pleased that a joint European proposal for the gas situation has now been made. It would be a bit unsatisfactory if we, from the Danish side, had cut and done a lot to put ourselves in a good position in this situation, and then there were others who did not. Denmark has already reduced gas consumption "considerably".
- Therefore, it will also be easier for Denmark to meet these requirements than for other countries, says Dan Jørgensen.
However, it is not straightforward to put a precise figure on Denmark's reduction, but "the Danish Energy Agency is doing the math", says the minister. Denmark has a relatively small gas consumption compared to large EU countries such as Germany and Italy.
If the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline were to be closed by Russia, around 50 large Danish companies would be the first to lose their gas supply, according to the Confederation of Danish Industry.
Ritzau
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