Weaponising natural gas

European Commission says Russia is using natural gas as a weapon and recommends EU member states to cut gas use.

Daniela Budu, 27.07.2022, 14:01

The shortage of fuel is spreading around the world and
affecting the global economy, threatening to cause recession and a new wave of
inflation. Under the circumstances, Europe is looking for solutions and is
taking important decisions.

One such decision, was taken on Tuesday by EU member
states, who agreed to ration their gas consumption so as to be able to build
stocks in case Russia halts gas deliveries. According to the latest report by
the European Commission, almost half of EU member states would be affected by a
partial or full cut in gas supplies. In June this year, the amount of gas
supplied by Russia was 30% lower compared with the previous five years’
average.

Under the agreement signed in Brussels, EU countries
will voluntarily reduce their gas consumption by 15% by the end of March next
year. There are some exemptions, namely countries that are not connected to the
gas networks of other EU territories. Also, countries that meet the Union’s
target of filling their gas reserves by August may benefit from lower targets.
This will be Spain’s case, which will voluntarily cut gas use by only 7% on
account of its status as an energy island and its large storage capacity following
major investments to this end.

Germany, which is Europe’s biggest gas user, welcomed
the EU’s coordinated efforts to save gas, emphasising that the EU will remain
united in the face of Russia’s cut in gas supplies. Hungary was the only
country to reject the agreement reached in Brussels, which it views as
unjustifiable, unenforceable and harmful, saying it completely ignores the interests of Hungarians. Hungary believes the security of energy supply is a
matter for the national governments of each individual EU country.

Ukraine said the gas war waged by the Russian
president Vladimir Putin against Europe is a direct continuation of his war
against Ukraine and the only solution is full independence from Russian gas.
Meanwhile, Gazprom has continued to reduce gas deliveries to Europe through the
North Stream pipeline, with Putin saying recently that Russia intends to have its
gas supply. He justified the move invoking the slow pace of repair works.

As far as Romania is concerned, following the
agreement reached in Brussels, the authorities gave assurances that the
additional measures that will be taken in order to reduce gas consumption will
not affect private users, small and medium sized companies, the social services
and the industry. The government says the country already has sufficient gas
stocks and its storage facilities will be filled 80%, as the EU recommends, before
1st November. (CM)