The Dutch government will advise citizens and businesses to use less gas but has stopped short of activating emergency energy plans. Earlier today, Germany declared triggered the first phase of emergency gas plans – known as an “early warning” – amid escalating concerns over supply shortages. Its decision not to follow in Germany’s footsteps has staved off the possibility of a regional or bloc-wide crisis plan within the European Union (EU) This only occurs when two member states declare an emergency based on the same grounds. The Kremlin’s demand for gas payments to be made in roubles has sent energy firms scrambling to assess the ramifications, with the EU increasingly concerned Russia could cut off supplies. The Netherlands imports nearly 20 percent of its natural gas from Russia and has been seeking alternative sources in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Tim van Dijk, the […]