To avoid energy shortages that would stall economic growth and leave households cold in the winter as Russia weaponises its gas exports, European countries should immediately start rationing use of the fuel, the European Commission said on Wednesday and cut their use 15 per cent until next spring.
If the bloc’s 27 member countries agree to adopt the plan and the new legislation, it would solidify the sense that Europe’s economy is on war footing because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The proposal would grant the commission powers to force member nations to follow a strict plan of energy consumption cuts as of this summer.
