The European Union has provided itself with gas in the coming months in the event of a cessation of supplies from Russia, said EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simsov in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.
“The European Union has been working for several years to diversify energy supplies,” she said, acknowledging that the EU “remains heavily dependent on gas, most of which it imports.”
We have diversified our supplies through pipelines, such as the Southern Gas Corridor and Medgaz’s connection with Algeria. We have invested heavily in LNG terminals, which offer a much more flexible way to transport gas to where it is most needed, ”Simson said.
LNG imports reached record levels in January, with the United States being the main supplier, she said. “Over the past few weeks, I have been in constant contact with partners from around the world, from Norway to Qatar, Egypt and the United States, to provide options for additional gas supplies,” he said. Although stocks are lower than usual for this time of year, “we have a significant amount of gas in storage to cover demand until the end of winter,” Simpson added.
The Commission’s opinion on Nord Stream 2 has not changed, the commissioner said. “This is not a project of European interest, and it is not in favor of diversifying gas supplies.” The EC’s role is to ensure that the pipeline operates in accordance with fundamental principles and international energy law after its commissioning, Simpson said.
EU member states must invest in renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the commissioner said.
“We need to diversify our energy sources. To reduce our dependence on Russian gas, we must first invest heavily in renewable energy,” she said.
The commissioner said it was necessary to “not depend on foreign supplies”. She also said that the Commission is examining different scenarios for gas supplies in the event that Russia partially or completely restricts exports to Europe.
Commenting on a possible Russian attack on Ukraine, Simson said it would “affect everyone”. “Of course, we [in the EU] will work together,” she added. At the same time, the commissioner acknowledged that the sanctions that could be imposed on the Russian Federation in the event of an “attack” will “come at a price” for the EU as well.