The aim would be contained in a rule accompanying a demand-reduction plan to be unveiled by the European Commission in response to a potential full shutdown by Moscow. According to three EU officials with knowledge of the issue, the legislation would also include a legal trigger if the situation worsened, and voluntary limitations are insufficient. The commission intends to suggest methods such as decreasing heating and cooling, as well as market-based measures, as part of its "Save gas for a safe winter" strategy. A hard winter might threaten up to 1.5 percent of the region's gross domestic product. This winter, the EU's main problem will be ensuring adequate gas supply to heat furnaces and power generators.

The whole negotiations are based on assumptions that Russia will not resume the flow through Nord Stream 1, when the maintenance will be finished. The pipeline flow was already flowing at capacity of only 40% even before the repairs began. However, the measure will have to be approved by all member states. More will be known after next weeks emergency meeting of energy ministers.

Movement of natural gas’s price in the last five years. (Source: Trading Economics)

Sources:

https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/natural-gas

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/eu-set-target-15-reduction-naturalgas-use-russian-supply-woes

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-19/eu-set-to-target-15-cut-in-gas-demand-on-russian-supply-woes#xj4y7vzkg

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/eu-considers-15-cut-natural-gas-use-russian-supply-woes-bloomberg-news-2022-07-19/#:~:text=July%2019%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20The,on%20Tuesday%2C%20citing%20EU%20diplomats.

https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/eu-set-to-target-15-reduction-in-naturalgas-useon-russian-supply-woes-2849005