A proposal for European countries to slash gas use ahead of a possible winter supply crunch has prompted bickering among EU capitals and doubt over its approval at a meeting of energy ministers next week.

The European Commission’s “Save gas for a safe winter” plan, which recommended on Wednesday that all member states cut gas use by 15 per cent between August and March against an average of the previous five years has been met by outright opposition from Portugal and Spain and serious concerns from several other EU countries.

“We cannot assume a disproportionate sacrifice on which we were not even asked for a prior opinion,” Portugal’s energy secretary Jo?o Galamba said. Spanish energy minister Teresa Ribera added a veiled jibe at Germany, which relies on Russian supplies for more than half its gas consumption: “Unlike other countries, we Spaniards have not lived beyond our means from an energy point of view.”