The fear of a gas shortage in the EU this winter has proven to be unfounded. This is due not least to a record-breaking saving on gas consumption among citizens and companies.
This was stated by EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson on Thursday. In the wake of the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, she took stock of the energy situation in the EU Parliament in Brussels.
Here, the EU Commissioner highlights both the savings on gas and the creation of more renewable energy as crucial for EU countries to have overcome the energy challenges better than feared.
- This has not only happened as a result of announcements from governments. It has been a grassroots movement among Europeans. It is of course driven by energy prices. But not only by that, says Kadri Simson.
Overall, EU consumers have cut almost 20 percent of their gas consumption. This means that EU countries still have gas reserves filled to 57 percent. of capacity coming out of winter.
Solar and wind supply more energy than gas
At the same time, the installation of solar cells has spread so rapidly in the EU that last year set a record for solar energy. According to Kadri Simson, this means that 39 percent of electricity last year came from renewable energy. This means that wind and solar now account for more of the energy in the EU than gas does.
On this basis, Kadri Simson is now calling on companies and governments to phase out the last part of the Russian gas.
- We can and must get rid of Russian energy as quickly as possible. But we must also keep our focus on our security of supply.
- I call on companies and governments not to sign new gas contracts with Russia when the current contracts expire. This is the best way to assure our reliable suppliers that our demand will also be there in the long term, says Kadri Simson.
However, she emphasizes that the energy situation will continue to be subject to uncertainty this year and next year.
Although the gas price is now at its lowest level in a year and a half, EU countries will soon have to replenish gas stocks so that they are gradually ready for next winter.
The EU Commission therefore proposes that this year too, the goal of continuing to keep gas consumption 15 percent lower than before the war is maintained. That more is invested in green energy and that work continues to secure gas from suppliers other than Russia.
/ritzau/
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