I don’t think we should voluntarily take any action at this point. The degree of filling is much higher than expected, Energy Minister Virgil Popescu said on Wednesday, referring to the new EU Regulation on the voluntary reduction of natural gas consumption by 15% in the first phase.

• “On Tuesday, July 26, a new EU Regulation was adopted on the voluntary reduction of natural gas consumption by 15% in the first phase, but this 15% is calculated as an average of the last 5 years of consumption during August. March 1 – 31, so it’s not a 12-month period, but an 8-month period over the past 5 years.
• In addition, there are certain degrees of flexibility that reduce this percentage by 15%. For example, if the target value adopted by the EC for filling the deposits is exceeded, this difference is deducted from the amount of gas that needs to be reduced. Also, from the percentage of 15%, consumption related to the non-energy industry is subtracted from 2021. Currently, the calculation method is being finalized at the EU level.
• I don’t think we should voluntarily take any action at this point. The degree of filling is much higher than expected. The level of domestic generation ensures operation and supply of natural gas to protected customers, including residential customers, electricity and heat generation, critical power generation for hospitals and schools, so that everything that is needed can function during the winter.
• If it comes to the declaration of a state of emergency, an alarm at the EU level, then the question of solidarity will arise and then the question of a possible reduction in natural gas consumption will arise, but not for protected customers.” , This was stated by Virgil Popescu on Wednesday.

What are the natural gas reserves at the moment?

The minister noted that Romania currently has gas reserves that exceed the level expected by the EU.

As for gas reserves, this morning at 8 o’clock we had reserves of 1.826 billion cubic meters, that is, the total degree of filling is 59.48%. We fulfilled the expected schedule before the EC. We also exceeded the indicator that we should have had on September 1, 2022, that is, 57%. We want to significantly exceed the 80% target on November 1st.

At the moment, gas inflows to Romania are within normal limits. I did not notice any decrease in flows, both in the southern and western regions, so the degree of filling is at a constant pace,” Popescu said.

According to him, Romania is conducting negotiations on gas supplies from Azerbaijan, the USA and the United Arab Emirates.