Among the avenues mentioned, the Minister of the Economy estimated that it was necessary to “accelerate the storage of gas from this summer”, “to face the winter of 2022”.
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Is Europe preparing to cut the taps with Russia? She has “solutions to become independent of Russian gas”, said Tuesday, March 8, the French Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire. Confirming that gas prices would be “blocked” until the end of 2022 for consumers in France, the Minister spoke of a series of European solutions to deal with the “gas shock” related to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
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“Independence is not at all the same in all European states, France is 20% dependent for its supply of Russian gas, the European average is 40%, Germany is 55%, and some states are totally dependent (…), for example Finland, it’s 100% gas that comes from Russia”recalled the Minister who was speaking on the sidelines of the visit to an Air Liquide hydrogen production site.
The Minister of Economy stressed the need “of a European collective solution” to reduce dependence on Russian gas. Among the avenues mentioned, Bruno Le Maire felt that it was necessary “accelerate gas storage from this summer”, “at 90% filling and storage to face winter 2022”. “Now is not the challenge, the challenge is that of winter 2022-23” he insisted as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that Russian energy imports were “essential” for Europe.
“Second possibility: group purchases, in common, to unite and obtain lower prices”he said. “Third thing, try to diversify supplies” from other producers. Fourth avenue mentioned: improving the operation of LNG terminals, “There are seven in Spain, there are four in France and unfortunately there are none in Germany. We can improve the operation of the terminals so that they have better performance”estimated the minister, who assured to have “look at” with the leaders of the Engie group how to “improve the operation” of the terminals.
Last track mentioned by the Minister: that of biomass and biogas, “alternative solutions produced in France which will make it possible to become independent of Russian gas”.
