The Energy Agency warns: either Europe saves the equivalent of 130 methane tankers in summer or it will have a hard time in winter – La Razón

Either Europe starts saving gas right now in the face of the looming Russian supply cut, or next winter will be really tough. That is the warning issued yesterday by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The measures taken so far by the countries to alleviate the dependence on gas from the country of Vladimir Putin are, in the opinion of this organization, insufficient even if Russia restores this summer the supply through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which is not guaranteed. According to the Agency, in the event that Russia restored supply and kept it at the low volumes it had imposed in recent months and completely closed the tap at the start of the heating season on October 1, the EU would have had to fill its gas reserves at least 90% in the fall, and even then it could be short by the end of winter. Its executive director, Fatih Birol, acknowledges that progress has been made in the search for gas from other producing countries, “but it is not enough” and that it is necessary to act above all on the demand side. According to his calculations, in this scenario, an additional saving of about 12,000 million cubic meters would be needed during the next three months, which is equivalent to the loading of about 130 ships that transport liquefied natural gas (LNG). The indications that Russia is going to turn off the gas tap probably sooner than expected, they are multiplying in recent days. If last week Gazprom already warned that the supply through the Nord Stream 1 was not guaranteed as of July 21, the date on which some alleged maintenance work should end; yesterday it was learned that the Russian state hydrocarbons company is already preparing the ground to break contracts without paying compensation clauses. The company would have invoked before a European client the force majeure clause retroactively since last June 14 that exonerates it from the payment of compensation for not being able to meet what is stipulated in the contract due to factors beyond its control. Measures To achieve greater savings, and in line with what the European Union is already proposing to do, the IEA proposes five emergency measures aimed at the industry, the electricity and gas sector and the EU governments so that they coordinate their action, but also at consumers so that they reduce the temperature of the heating and raise the temperature of the air conditioning. Thus, it is committed to establishing gas auction platforms to encourage a reduction in industry demand; minimize the consumption of gas to generate electricity, for example by temporarily using coal, oil and nuclear power plants as an alternative; greater coordination between energy operators across Europe to reduce consumption peaks, as this is when gas-fired plants are most used to produce electricity; reduce the consumption of individuals with standards and controls for air conditioning, for which the administrations have to be exemplary; and harmonize emergency plans at both national and European levels, including supply cuts and solidarity mechanisms. “If these types of measures are not applied now, Europe will be in an extremely vulnerable position and could face cuts and reductions much more drastic later”, warned the executive director of the IEA.