The 27-nation bloc has already agreed on a voluntary target to cut gas consumption by 15% after Russia, its biggest supplier, cut shipments following the invasion of Ukraine. Still, more action is needed to contain the energy crunch that’s fueling inflation and risks recession.

Benchmark prices declined as much as 6.4%, after rising 19% over the previous two days.

Despite the fact neither Nord Stream nor Nord Stream 2 were flowing gas to Europe at the time of the incidents, gas prices rose as much as 9% in early trading Sept. 27.

Dutch front-month gas, the European benchmark, rose 11% to 206 euros per megawatt-hour at 8:47 a.m. in Amsterdam. Price increased 7.1% on Tuesday.

The currently out-of-action Nord Stream pipeline system was damaged, with Germany saying it suspected it was an act of sabotage.

Naftogaz and Gazprom signed in December 2019 a gas transit agreement under ship-or-pay terms, meaning Gazprom is obliged to pay for transit whether it uses it or not.

The European Commission has approved state aid worth €5.2bn for a second wave of hydrogen related Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), helping to reduce dependence on natural gas and accelerate the hydrogen economy.

The SBSP system would cost 33.4 billion euros to build and 31.1 billion euros to operate for 30 years, in case of medium technological advances.

The European Commission aims to publish Sept. 28 a document detailing future steps to ease volatility and increase trading volume in energy markets after surging prices led to ballooning margin calls

Benchmark futures jumped as much as 10% for a second day of gains. In the latest move to ensure supply, Germany said it will nationalize Uniper SE and avert a collapse of the energy sector with winter just days away.