Russian gas imports are on the rise in the EU despite sanctions
According to a report by the European Commission, the share of Russian gas in EU imports, which had significantly decreased over the past two years, is rising again this year. Russian gas is being replaced primarily by gas from Norway and the USA.
The report on the state of the energy union demonstrates how the European Union has dealt with challenges in the energy sector during the current term of the European Commission. Much of the document focuses on systematically reducing the Union's dependence on fossil fuel supplies from Russia.
Independence from Russia in progress
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson stated at a conference that the EU previously imported 5,297 billion cubic feet of gas from Russia annually, which has now reduced to around 1,766 billion cubic feet. The European Commission is convinced that 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 amounted to 18%, an increase from 2023.
Change of 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 replied that gas from Russia has not yet been fully sanctioned. She reminded that some member states without access to the sea still receive Russian resources via pipelines. She also noted that member states have tools to restrict access to the EU market to ships with Russian LNG.
The European Commission's report also emphasises that Russia's revenue from pipeline gas and LNG sales to the EU has dropped by over 70% since the crisis in 2022.
After the contract expires in December, Simson also announced that the EU is ready to halt gas transit from Russia through the Ukrainian transmission system.
Together with the member states, we have been preparing to end 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 suppliers of blue fuel to the EU, providing 34% and 18% of the gas imported to the European Union in the first half of 2024.
One of the report's key conclusions is the record growth of 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 after nuclear energy.
Still far from achieving green goals
The report's authors indicate that further improvements are needed to achieve the emission reduction targets by 2030, including the pace of building renovations and addressing the issue of high energy prices. According to the Commission, this is crucial for improving the competitiveness of the EU industry and accelerating investments.
The report reminds that all member states must submit updated national energy and climate plans as soon as possible to ensure the collective achievement of the 2030 energy and climate targets.
Simson said that the difficult situation in Ukraine must not be forgotten when discussing the progress and challenges for the EU's energy sector.
Due to ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, the country has lost almost half its power generation capacity. The EU Commissioner stated that if the EU does not increase support, Ukrainians will spend the coming months "in cold and darkness."
The Energy Commissioner emphasised that the European Commission, member states, and other donors have mobilised around £440 million for repairs of damaged installations, decentralised gas and renewable energy production, and emergency power supplies to 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 actions must be intensified as winter approaches to avoid the worst, and supporting Ukraine during the winter will remain her priority in the final months of her term as Energy Commissioner.
