The European Parliament has approved proposals to improve co-ordination between European Union member countries if they face sudden gas shortages.
Supplies to thousands of homes and businesses across the EU were cut last year due to a payment dispute between Russia and Ukraine.
National governments are due to approve the bill by the end of the year.
It is part of Europe’s attempts to improve the way it deals with future gas crises.
The proposals voted through by the European Parliament provide stricter guarantees that gas companies will not be able to cut supplies to households in case of extreme temperatures or severe disruption.
