Can Europe reduce reliance on Russian gas?

We also consider possibilities for Europe to go even further and faster to limit near-term reliance on Russian gas, although these would mean a slower near-term pace of EU emissions reductions. If Europe were to take these additional steps, then near-term Russian gas imports could be reduced by more than 80 bcm, or well over half.

Could a 10-point plan reduce Russian gas imports?

A suite of measures in our 10-Point Plan, spanning gas supplies, the electricity system and end-use sectors1, could result in the EU’s annual call on Russian gas imports falling by more than 50 bcm within one year – a reduction of over one-third.

How can we reduce reliance on Russian gas?

This IEA analysis proposes a series of immediate actions that could be taken to reduce reliance on Russian gas, while enhancing the near-term resilence of the EU gas network and minimising the hardships for vulnerable consumers.

Does the EU impose sanctions on Russian gas?

The EU has not imposed meaningful sanctions on Russian gas 6 . However, Russia has cut gas supplies to the EU, arguably at a heavy cost to its own long-term interests. In summer 2021, before the invasion, Gazprom already cut supplies to European buyers and left gas-storage facilities that it operated in the EU empty in autumn 2021.

How much energy does the EU import from Russia?

The drop in EU energy imports from Russia (excluding uranium products), from about 14,000,000 terajoules to 2,000,000 per year, represents a drop from 26 percent of the EU’s primary energy consumption in 2021 to 4 percent in 2023. Table 1: EU-Russia energy trade, 2021 vs 2023

Why should the EU reduce its dependence on Russian fuel?

It is important for the EU to reduce its dependence on Russian fuel, both because nuclear fuel is a highly strategic commodity, and because Rosatom is a state-owned entity dealing in a commodity that can be weaponised, similarly to what Gazprom did with natural gas.