European Commission: already two-thirds less gas from Russia possible in one year

Dependence on Russian gas can be reduced ‘well before 2030’. Two-thirds of Russian gas imports can be phased out within a year, the rest in the following years. This is apparent from a plan that the European Commission presented on Tuesday and passed on NRC has been recognized.

Not only does the Commission want renewable energy to take off in the EU even faster, but it is also proposing measures to weaken the dominant position of the Russian gas company Gazprom. ‘Brussels’ also wants to offer more room for state support to energy-intensive companies that are at risk of getting into trouble as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Political motivation

The Commission wants to quickly present a bill to make the build-up of gas reserves a more mandatory character – now that is mainly left to the free market. All gas storage facilities ‘on EU territory’ should be ‘at least 90 percent’ filled by 1 October each year. The Commission is also proposing a ‘hundred percent discount’ on transport costs to and from storage, in order to make storing gas as attractive as its ‘direct delivery’.

The Commission notes that gas reserves are particularly low in facilities run by ‘third country’ companies such as Gazprom. In recent months, the Russian company has often been accused of sending insufficient gas to the EU for political reasons. In the Netherlands, it is involved in the country’s second largest gas storage facility.

The plan calls for relaxation of state aid rules. The Commission is proposing a ‘temporary crisis scheme’ to compensate ‘all companies directly or indirectly affected by the crisis’ for the sharp rise in energy prices caused by the war. Priority should be given to investment projects that bring EU countries closer together in the energy field. A country like Spain can supply sustainable energy, but is not well connected to the European network. According to the Commission, consideration should also be given to raising European ambitions in the field of sustainable energy and energy saving, which are already considered quite high.