EU Gas Measures

European Gas Measures: The European Union has established a system to allow member states to flag up impending energy supply difficulties using three ascending levels of alerts -- beginning with "early warning", followed by "alert", then "emergency". The system is designed so that EU members can help supply one another but also involves rationing supplies if required. A number of EU countries have signaled their alert levels or announced emergency plans to deal with the gas reduction from Russia.

• Austria – Examining legal measures to diversify gas supply and announced at the weekend it will convert an idled gas power plant to run on coal.
• Denmark – Has activated stage one of its three stage emergency gas supply plan after Orsted announced at the start of the month, Gazprom was no longer sending it gas after refusal to pay in rubles.
• France – Has gas supply rationing measures in place for major consumers if required.
• Germany – Has activated first stage of its emergency plan. Indicated it will restart coal fired power stations and has asked major consumers to limit gas use where possible.
• Greece – Switching four gas fired power plants to diesel and ramping up coal mining over next two years.
• Italy – On the brink of declaring a heightened state of alert on gas this week. Looking at burning more coal.
• Netherlands – Announced energy crisis plan extending Groningen field gas production and lifting coal caps for power plants.
• Sweden – Has activated stage one of its three part emergency plan given its reliance on flows from Demark who announced plans first.