Spain: Proposed EU Gas Cut Not “Efficient, Fair or Equitable”

By Scott Kanowsky 

Investing.com — Spain has hit out at a European Union plan to slash gas consumption by a sixth this autumn and winter in response to concerns over a potential disruption to the supply of Russian energy.

In an open letter to the EU Commission, Spain’s minister for ecological transition, Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, said the proposal is not “efficient, fair or equitable.” 

“We firmly believe that it is essential that the European response to this situation not be perceived as unfair and economically damaging for our citizens and industry,” Ribera wrote.

The letter comes after the EU’s plan – which calls on member states to voluntarily cut gas usage by 15% from August 1 until the end of next March – has also received condemnation from other member states, including Portugal and Greece.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has asked for unanimous backing for the proposal, saying it is a “necessary” measure to protect against a possible slowdown in Russian gas flows.

Ribera said Spain backed a “coordinated” response, but added that the EU should identify “the most effective and solidary contributions” from each member state, instead of imposing a blanket reduction across the bloc.