Article 9 — National diversification plans for natural gas

1. Each Member State shall establish a plan describing measures for, milestones in and potential barriers to diversifying their gas supplies (a national diversification plan for natural gas), in order to discontinue all imports of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, within the deadlines pursuant to Articles 3 and 4. 2. National diversification plans for natural gas shall include all of the following elements: (a) available information on the volume of imports of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation under existing supply contracts; (b) a clear description of supporting measures in place and supporting measures planned at national level to replace natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, including the quantities expected to be phased out, milestones and a timeline for implementation and, where available, envisaged options for alternative supplies and supply routes. Such measures may include the use of the Aggregate EU Platform established pursuant to Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1789, support measures for diversification efforts of energy companies, cooperation in regional groups such as the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity High-Level Group, the identification of alternatives to natural gas imports via electrification, energy sufficiency, energy efficiency measures, boosting the production of biogas, biomethane and clean hydrogen, renewable energy deployment, voluntary demand reduction measures or possibilities of other Member States to facilitate diversification of supply; (c) the identification of any potential technical, contractual or regulatory barriers to replacing natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation, and options to overcome those barriers. 3. By 1 March 2026, Member States shall submit to the Commission their national diversification plans for natural gas, using the template set out in Annex I. 4. The Commission shall, where appropriate, facilitate the preparation and implementation of the national diversification plans for natural gas, including by providing best practices and technical assistance. During the transition period for existing supply contracts under Article 4 of this Regulation, the Commission shall coordinate with Member States in their diversification efforts to identify alternative supply sources. New supplies could also compensate for lost revenues by using existing infrastructure previously utilised for natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation in transit. Member States shall report regularly to the Gas Coordination Group on the progress achieved on the preparation, adoption and implementation of their national diversification plans for natural gas. On the basis of the national diversification plans for natural gas, the Commission shall assess the implementation of the phase-out of natural gas that originates in or is exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation and report its assessment to the Gas Coordination Group, as set out in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938.