EU energy ministers have agreed that cooperation on gas supply security is to be based on an analysis or risks within groups of member states rather than on a rigid subdivision in regions as was previously the case.
The agreement came at the end of an EU Council meeting in Brussels in the first week of December.
Ministers said in a statement that “the Commission recalled that the stress tests carried out in 2014 showed that there are some member states particularly vulnerable to gas disruptions and that the original purpose of the regulation is precisely to address these issues, improving cross-border measures between member states.”
To address that, they propose that “member states will conduct national risk assessments, as well as common risk assessments with other member states according to the relevant risk.”
Proposals set 40% threshold for gas contracts disclosure
Meanwhile, on the subject of the exchange of information on commercial gas contracts relevant for security of supply, ministers proposed this “will take into account that the administrative burden remains proportionate” while ensuring “the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information is preserved.” Long-term gas contracts which provide 40% or more of annual natural gas consumption in the member state concerned will be notified to the competent authority. The competent authority and the Commission will also be able to request relevant information (except on price) concerning other gas contracts even if they do not fulfil the 40% threshold.
These proposals form part of a regulation that will now need to be negotiated with the EU Parliament.