RT.com
26 May 2023, 15:43 GMT+10
Brussels claims it has decreased energy reliance on Russia
Demand for gas in the European Union is expected to decline by more than the bloc's total imports from Russia this year, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing an internal European Commission document. The majority of the cuts were made by the EU's most industrialized countries.
Gas consumption will reportedly see a decrease of 60 billion cubic meters in 2023 compared to the average for the last five years.
The figure represents "more than the gas volumes we still foresee to import from Russia in 2023, both pipeline and [liquefied natural gas]," reads the document seen by the FT.
The figure is also 8 billion cubic meters more than EU nations saved during the height of the energy crisis in 2022.
The substantial drop in demand was not simply down to "good luck," EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson reportedly stated at a meeting on Wednesday. Instead, she claimed it had resulted from a series of emergency laws adopted last year in a bid to decrease the bloc's reliance on supplies from Russia.
At the same time, energy experts have cited the mild winter of 2022 as helping EU members to consume less energy, while high prices resulted in energy-intensive industries scaling back production.
Last year, member states agreed to voluntarily reduce gas consumption by 15% from August 2022 until March 2023. The EU executive branch said that the target had been surpassed, and the agreement was extended for another 12 months in March.
According to a report by the European Environmental Bureau, as quoted by the FT, only 14 out of 27 EU nations have adopted compulsory measures to slash energy consumption.
Five out of the 14 - Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal - reportedly made up 60% of the fall in demand, while Bulgaria, Latvia and Romania were the only member states that have not implemented any energy-saving regulations. This is partially attributed to already low gas demand in those countries.
"The most robust measures on gas savings have been implemented in countries that import large quantities of Russian gas such as Italy and Germany," the report seen by the FT reads.
The EU previously covered about two-fifths of its gas needs through Russian energy imports. According to preliminary data from the EC, the bloc's imports of Russian gas in March were 74% lower than they were in the same month two years ago.
For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Philadelphia Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Philadelphia Herald.
More InformationHONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
NEW YORK, New York - Monday's trading session saw mixed performances across U.S. and global markets, with several major indices posting...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. government has granted GE Aerospace permission to resume jet engine shipments to China's COMAC, a person...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: Saudi Aramco is exploring asset sales as part of a broader push to unlock capital, with gas-fired power plants among...
MILAN, Italy: Italian regulators have flagged four non-EU countries—including Russia—as carrying systemic financial risk for domestic...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump claimed he was unaware that the term shylock is regarded as antisemitic when he used it in...
PARIS, France: A strike by French air traffic controllers demanding improved working conditions caused significant disruptions during...
OMAHA, Nebraska: With Congress considering cuts totaling around US$1 trillion to Medicaid over the next decade, concerns are rising...
ROME, Italy: Quick thinking by emergency responders helped prevent greater devastation after a gas station explosion in southeastern...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump is drawing praise from his core supporters after halting key arms shipments to Ukraine, a...
MOSCOW, Russia: This week, Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan since...