Italy plans to reduce the temperature of heating in homes and businesses during the winter to reduce gas consumption and reduce the risks associated with a complete stoppage of Russian gas supplies, Reuters reported.

Italy imported about 40 percent of its gas from Russia before the war in Ukraine began, but quickly moved to find alternative sources and reduce its dependence on Moscow.

Under the government plan announced, the temperature in apartment buildings and other public buildings will be regulated at 19 Celsius, one degree lower than before. For industrial buildings, the figure will be set at 17 degrees Celsius. Heating will be turned on for an hour less each day.

Rome is also negotiating with the Confindustria industrial lobby to agree on further reductions in gas consumption on a voluntary basis.

Italy hopes the restrictions will cut gas consumption by 3.2 billion cubic meters between August and March, and intends to cut another 2.1 billion cubic meters through the use of alternative fuels for power generation.

Among many measures, the document called for increasing the capacity of existing coal and oil-fired power plants, which would reduce gas consumption by about 1.8 billion cubic meters.

The savings could be boosted by other measures encouraging individual users and businesses to reduce consumption, meaning that total demand could fall by 15 percent, or at least 8.2 billion cubic meters, according to the European Union's broader plans.

Italy filled its gas storage tanks 83 percent as of early September, the paper said, stocking up ahead of the colder months.