On Monday, Bloomberg reported that as the EU looks to ensure efficient fuel deliveries, EU member states are planning to make their system of purchasing gas jointly a permanent part of the bloc’s broader energy strategy.

In December, in response to the energy crisis which occurred as result of the energy sanctions levied against Moscow in retaliation for the war in Ukraine, the EU created a mechanism for the joint purchase of gas within the bloc. The tool was designed to prevent independent member nations of the bloc from bidding against each other on the open global market and driving up the prices of gas for all the countries of the EU.

Bloomberg noted that the platform for the joint purchases excludes Russian gas, according to a European Commission document.

According to the outlet, it is believed the new system will aid EU member states refill gas storage facilities in preparation for next winter, through the collective platform. Although participation in the joint buying platform will be voluntary, if there is another energy crisis emergency, EU authorities will retain the power to require member states to pool their demand under the joint platform.

European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic announced earlier in the month the second international tender for the EU through the joint gas purchasing platform, in which buyers scheduled deliveries for between August 2023 and March 2025.

Although member states are hoping that purchasing gas through the joint purchasing scheme will help lower prices, analysts note that since demand in the EU is presently so high, it is possible that using the joint purchasing platform to perform bulk purchasing could actually drive prices up instead of helping to keep them down.