09 Mar Europe Reduces its Reliance on Russian Natural Gas

Source: http://iea.org

Measurements already taken by the Union will reduce imports over one-third and will be further reduced along the year. The European Union imported an average of 380 million cubic metres a day. The zero-emission policy follows the 2050 roadmap and it is likely that it will be accelerated due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The contracts with Gazprom end in 2022 which allows Europe to explore other possible contracts as well as other power sources. Other sources such as biogas and biomethane could be used short term until more reliable and less polluting sources will be used.

Solar and wind projects will become key too. The use of rooftop solar panels will considerably reduce the bills of consumers. This will also reduce the consumption of gas. Besides, vulnerable consumers should be protected from high electricity prices enacting short-term measures.

Both bioenergy and nuclear energy will be used until the system manages to get balanced thanks to the use of alternative sources such as hydrogen. The use of heat pumps instead of that of gas boilers will be favoured, as well as the energy efficiency improvements in buildings and industry.

The Union will also implement policies towards a responsible energy consumption by adapting thermostats to lower degrees.

All of these measures will help attain the decarbonisation goals and will eventually bring diversification of energy sources and to the energy self-sufficiency of the EU by deploying new sustainable and non-polluting sources.