The European Commission has adopted proposals to create joint gas stocks on a regional basis and to “decarbonise” the gas market. The proposals, which will be officially presented tomorrow, Wednesday 15 December, also include a regulation with obligations for methane suppliers, to substantially reduce losses.
Common stocks of green gas and hydrogen
The joint gas stocks, officially announced by the Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson to the relevant Council of Ministers on 2 December, are a response to requests from Italy, France and Spain for measures to contain the increase in energy prices.
The reform of the gas market looks to consumers and the decarbonisation of the sector, especially thanks to hydrogen. For the first aspect, the Commission proposes to recognize consumers more rights, from the transparency of bills to the security of supply for the weakest social groups, up to the recognition of the role of communities of citizens and direct participation in the market, with the right to consume, store and sell self-produced renewable gas.
For the second aspect, the proposals aim to bring out a market for hydrogen and renewable gases.