EU reports uptick in Russian gas imports despite overall decline
According to a report by the European Commission, the share of Russian gas in the EU's imports, which has significantly dropped over the past two years, is rising again this year. Resources from Norway and the USA are replacing gas from Russia.
The report on the state of the energy union shows how the European Union has dealt with challenges in the energy sector during the current term of the European Commission. A significant part of the document is devoted to systematically reducing the Union's dependence on fossil fuel supplies from Russia.
Independence from Russia in progress
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson recalled during the conference that previously the EU imported 5.3 trillion cubic feet of gas annually from Russia, and now it is about 1.8 trillion cubic feet. The European Commission is convinced that completely stopping the purchase of Russian gas is possible without weakening Europe's energy security.
Our dependency from Russia dropped from 45% in 2021 to 15% last year, emphasized the EU politician.
However, the report indicates that the share of Russian gas in EU imports from January to June 2024 was 18 percent, an increase compared to the whole of 2023.
Changing trend in 2024: Why is more gas flowing from Russia?
When asked about the reasons for this increase and whether she considers it a personal failure, Kadri Simson responded that gas from Russia has not yet been subjected to full sanctions. She reminded that some member states, which do not have access to the sea, still receive the resources from Russia via pipelines. She also added that member states have tools to limit access to the EU market to ships with Russian LNG.
The European Commission's report also emphasizes that Russia's revenue from selling pipeline gas and LNG to the EU has dropped by over 70 percent since the crisis in 2022.
Simson also informed that the EU is ready to stop the transit of gas from Russia through the Ukrainian transit system after the current contract expires in December.
Together with member states, we have been preparing for the end of the gas transit agreement through Ukraine. We started preparations two years ago. She said the EU is ready to function without this Russian gas flowing through the Ukrainian transit route.
Norway, USA, and natural renewable sources
Resources from Norway and the USA are gradually replacing Russian gas. These countries have become the largest natural gas suppliers to the EU, providing 34 percent and 18 percent of gas imports to the European Union in the first half of 2024, respectively.
One of the report's key findings is a record increase in energy produced from renewable sources. In the first half of this year, half of the electricity in the EU came from "green" sources. Wind energy surpassed gas, becoming the second-largest source of electricity in the Union, following nuclear energy.
Still far from achieving green goals
The report's authors indicate that further improvements are needed to achieve emission reduction targets by 2030, including the pace of building renovations and addressing the problem of high energy prices. According to the European Commission, this is crucial for improving the competitiveness of EU industry and accelerating investments.
The report recalls that all member states must present updated national energy and climate plans as soon as possible to ensure the collective achievement of energy and climate goals for 2030.
Simson said that the difficult situation in Ukraine must not be forgotten when discussing progress and challenges for EU energy.
Due to continuous Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, the country has lost nearly half its generation capacity. The EU Commissioner stated that if the EU does not increase its support, Ukrainians will spend the coming months "in cold and darkness."
The Energy Commissioner emphasized that the European Commission, member states, and other donors have mobilized about 540 million dollars for repairs to damaged installations, decentralized gas and renewable energy production, and emergency power for civilian infrastructure. She also noted that the Commission is ready to do more and increase its contribution to these efforts.
She added that all these activities must be intensified as winter approaches to avoid the worst, and supporting Ukraine during the winter will remain her priority in the remaining months of her term as Energy Commissioner.
