Next winter will be challenging - EU
3 Min Read
Von der Leyen claims that the EU had replaced most of the Russian gas with imports from "reliable suppliers," but that statement is highly suspicious considering the current state of the bloc's major economies, including the UK.
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Steam leaves a cooling tower of the Lichterfelde gas-fired power plant in Berlin, Germany, on March 30, 2022 (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that the EU's current gas storage stands at 95% of full capacity and that current concerns are to ensure enough fuel is stored for next year.
"Our storages are full at 95% and we are safe for this winter. Our challenge will be next year’s winter," she said at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
Von der Leyen delivered a speech today at Bahrain's Manama Dialogue conference within the framework of broadening cooperation between the EU and the Gulf region.
The rapprochement with oil-rich Gulf Arab nations may be interpreted as one of the many desperate attempts the EU has been resorting to finding alternatives to cheap Russian gas.
Von der Leyen claims that the EU had replaced most of the Russian gas with imports from "reliable suppliers," but that statement is highly suspicious considering the current state of the bloc's major economies, including the UK.
Yesterday, a co-leader of Germany's ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, said that Germany is currently facing the risk of undergoing a process of de-industrialization due to partial disruptions in supply chains, staff shortages, and soaring energy prices.
Some argue that Germany may be forced to go back to the firewood era, as its gas stockpiles won't be enough to fight off the upcoming cold in Europe.
Earlier this month, it was reported that France is facing an imminent energy crisis due to delays in the maintenance works of its nuclear reactors.
On November 8, it was reported that the UK plans to sign a deal with the US to acquire liquefied natural gas (LNG), with up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas on the table within the next year, as per a report by The Telegraph.
French President Emmanuel Macron slammed the US in late October for practicing double standards as it offers EU gas prices 3 to 4 times higher than the prices in the American domestic market.
"American gas is 3-4 times cheaper on the domestic market than the price at which they offer it to Europeans. These are double standards," Macron stated, adding that "it concerns sincerity in transatlantic trade" and that this issue should be addressed.
On November 13, it was reported that the first batch of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced at Mozambique's Coral gas field has been shipped to Europe from the Coral Sul floating platform.
Read more: McPhie: US has become the leading energy supplier for EU
