The European Union is set to be the first advanced economic grouping to achieve a sustained reduction in its demand for energy, as policies to curb gas and electricity consumption take effect, according to an analysis published on Friday.
The EU’s energy efficiency strategy, even if only partially successful, will cut countries’ dependence on imports of Russian gas and ease the need for new energy infrastructure such as power stations and gas pipelines. It will also create a challenge for European energy companies, which will face shrinking domestic markets.
