Europe Can Reduce Gas Imports From Russia by More Than a Third in a Year

The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that Europe could reduce the import of Russian gas by more than a third within a year, and the agency announced a 10-point plan to reduce the European Union’s dependence on Russian gas.

“Nobody is under any illusions anymore. Russia’s use of its natural gas resources as an economic and political weapon show Europe needs to act quickly to be ready to face considerable uncertainty over Russian gas supplies next winter,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “The IEA’s 10-Point Plan provides practical steps to cut Europe’s reliance on Russian gas imports by over a third within a year while supporting the shift to clean energy in a secure and affordable way. Europe needs to rapidly reduce the dominant role of Russia in its energy markets and ramp up the alternatives as quickly as possible.”

Europe usually depends on Russia for about 40 percent of its gas needs. Supplies have been stable since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but prices have soared to record levels due to fears that Moscow will cut supplies sharply or that European Union sanctions against it will target energy exports.