EU Gas Security Plan Will Reduce Reliance on Russia

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The European Commission (EC) is proposing a raft of new measures designed to secure gas supplies across the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU).

The proposals will tighten up inter-governmental energy agreements between EU and non-EU countries to ensure that they do not impact the gas supply of other EU nations. It intends to legislate that EU countries come to the aid of their neighbours in the event of severe gas shortages. There are also proposals for boosting energy security through access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas storage.

Gas currently supplies one quarter of the EU's energy consumption and the EU is the biggest gas importer in the world. The expected decline of domestic EU gas production will also impact gas imports. Europe's fractious political relationship with Russia--the largest supplier of gas to the EU -- is the key driving force behind its need to create a more robust gas supply strategy. Europe has suffered numerous severe gas shortages over the past decade.

"The Energy Union Strategy, launched one year ago, promised to provide all Europeans with energy which is secure, sustainable, and competitive," explained Maroš Šefčovič, Commission vice-president for Energy Union. "Today's package focuses on the security of our supply, but touches upon all three overarching goals. By reducing our energy demand, and better managing our supply from external sources, we are delivering on our promise and enhancing the stability of Europe's energy market."

Industrial Info reported on the launch of the EU's ambitious Energy Union blueprint last March, which will see Europe build a single energy market by upgrading and integrating its electricity grids while introducing new legislation to allow for the free flow of electricity between Member States. For additional information, see March 5, 2015, article - Europe Reveals 'Energy Union' Blueprint.

Miguel Arias Cañete, commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said: "After the gas crises of 2006 and 2009 that left many millions out in the cold, we said: 'Never again'. But the stress tests of 2014 showed we are still far too vulnerable to major disruption of gas supplies. And the political tensions on our borders are a sharp reminder that this problem will not just go away. Today's proposals are about a reliable, competitive and flexible system in which energy flows across borders and consumers reap the benefits. They are about standing together to protect the most vulnerable. And they are about securing our clean energy future: I can assure that our commitment to a clean energy transition is irreversible and non-negotiable."

For heating and cooling, the Commission has launched its first ever strategy to tackle the massive use of energy, particularly fossil fuels, in the sector. The EC estimated that heating and cooling accounts for 50% of the EU's energy consumption and renewables account for just 18% of this. The strategy aims to increase the energy efficiency of buildings, tighten the link between electricity systems and district heating systems which will greatly increase the use of renewable energy, and encourage the reuse of waste heat and cold generated by industry.

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