March 7, 2022–Europe is notoriously dependent on Russian oil and gas. That reliance is making strict penalties on Russia’s invasion difficult to carry out. But that trade isn’t set in stone. In a new report, the International Energy Agency recommends 10 steps for European leaders who want to break that dependency.
Under the IEA plan, Europe would be able to reduce its natural gas imports from Russia from 155 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year to 95 bcm–a savings of one third. These figures assume Europe refills is gas storage facilities in 2022. According the the report, the steps are in line with the European Union’s goals for climate action and a European Green Deal. However, the agency also recommends additional steps in light of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.
10 Steps
The steps are as follows:
- Don’t sign new gas contracts with Russia’s Gazprom after the current contract expires at the end of 2022.
- Replace Russian supplies of LNG gas with alternative energy sources, such as low-carbon hydrogen via electrolysis, bio-gas, and bio-methane.
- Store gas to accommodate for swings in supply and demand and build resilience.
- Build more wind and solar projects.
- Reactive nuclear power plants and increase output at bio-energy plants.
- Change taxes to raise rates on electric company profits.
- Accelerate replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps.
- Invest more in energy efficiency products for consumers.
- PR campaign to encourage consumers to adjust their thermostats.
- Add more sources of energy to the power grid.
Also, in response to the recent war, the IEA also recommends a temporary shift back to coal or oil-fired generation.
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