A Gazprom service station in Moscow. Photo by AFP
Russia the gas supply may be cut off in Europe anytime, the European Commission believes, will take advantage of next week’s extraordinary European summit to push governments to prepare for that event. Moscow has already closed taps in Bulgaria, Finland and Poland.
The document of the conclusions of the summit, that is Clarion was able to consult this Tuesday and they may still change until it is over, ensuring the block requires an integrated plan in the short term of contingency to deal with this supply reduction.
When the war broke out, about 40% of the gas imported by the 27 countries of the European Union came from Russia. That rate dropped but by more than a third. The outlook on Russia is different. For countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary or Slovakia, Russian gas it is 100% of the gas they import. For others, such as Ireland, Portugal or Spain, it is anecdotal.
The summit will also promise that European governments will help each other if Russia cuts gas, sending gas to the most needy and replacing their reserves whenever possible, at least up to 85% before next November 1st.
reservations
The text says: “Preparations for possible major supply disruptions and to make the European gas market more stable must be accelerated, especially with bilateral unity agreements and a European contingency plan.”
the promise of increase reserves to have them at least 85%, which was also agreed in the European Parliament, is another of the great points of this summit. If in principle it was gathered to definitively approve Russia’s oil embargo, Hungarian nationalist Viktor Orban’s rejection would mean that Europeans could not approve of that punishment.
In return, governments are announcing cuts in Russia’s oil purchases.
The three countries that Russia has seen cut off their gas supply when contracts need to be renewed are Bulgaria, Finland and Poland because they refused to pay for gas in rubles, as demanded by the Kremlin. The European Commission guarantees that unilaterally changing contracts is illegal and warns governments that if they accept that their companies will pay Moscow in rubles, they will violate the penalties.
The summit will also promise that Europe diversify its hydrocarbon suppliers. Italy got Algeria’s promise to increase gas shipments, German ministers traveled to Qatar and the Qatari emir visited Spain last week with gas supplies at the top of his agenda.
Spain has been key to diversification of suppliers since it has a third of European regasification plantsessential tools for importing liquefied gas into methane tankers.
A refinery in Bratislava, Slovakia. Photo by AFP
Renewable energy
The European Commission has also launched a platform for joint purchases of liquefied gas to try to contain prices. The idea is that gas purchases made these months without freezing and that they serve to fill the reserves is cheaper.
Countries such as the Balkans or some in the east of the European Union such as Georgia or Moldova will be allowed to participate in this platform.
The summit will also refer to the European Commission’s RePowerEU plan aimed at accelerating the implementation of renewable energies as one of the best ways to reduce dependence on Russia.
Brussels announced to the public last week a plan of more than 200,000 million euros for this acceleration, to increase energy efficiency and to improve energy infrastructure within the continent and thus facilitate exchanges between of the countries of the European Union.
PB
Source: Clarin
