EU agrees plan to ration gas use over Russia supply fears

Most energy ministers back plan to reduce winter usage by 15%, although some argue uniform target unfair

EU member states have agreed to ration gas this winter, in an attempt to avoid an energy crisis generated by further Russian cuts to supply.

Energy ministers from the 27 member states mostly backed a plan for a voluntary 15% reduction in gas usage over the winter, but added in several opt-outs for island nations and countries unconnected or little connected to the European gas network, which will blunt the overall effect.