From today, the emergency plan of the European Union that preceded the possible interruption of gas supplies from Russia comes into force.

Under the plan, EU member states, except Hungary, voluntarily commit from August 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 to reduce gas consumption by 15 percent, compared to average consumption during the same period in the five years last.

According to estimates, 45 billion cubic meters of gas are expected to be saved through this plan.

Germany alone will have to consume about 10 billion cubic meters of gas less.

The aim of the plan is to prepare for the possibility of a complete interruption of Russian gas supplies to EU member states, as Moscow has significantly reduced its gas supplies to the bloc in recent months.

The new emergency plan also envisages the possibility of imposing mandatory gas saving quotas across the EU in the event of a major shortage of gas supplies.

The measures come as European officials worry that Russian state company Gazprom may refuse to resume supplies through the Nord Stream I gas pipeline.

The pipeline is a vital artery linking Russia's vast gas reserves to the continent via Germany.

In a statement about the plan, the EC said there would be measures to help EU member states meet the necessary reductions, including a "focus on replacing gas with other fuels and overall saving energy in all sectors".

At least 15 EU member states, representing more than 65 percent of the bloc's total population, will have to give their approval to activate the alarm for the mandatory reduction in gas consumption.

Member states have until September to show how they will be able to meet this target.

Some member states, including Italy and Spain, have secured exemptions from such a situation, and will have to save less than 15 percent of consumption.

The contingency plan will initially be in effect for one year.

/Telegraph/