Today, the European Commission presents its energy plan for the winter. Last year, the EU was able to report that renewable energy sources had become Europe’s main power source. Now it’s about getting enough gas to cope with the winter. The war in Ukraine has led to a difficult energy situation in Europe. At the same time, it highlights a weakness in Europe’s “green” transition. Europe has put itself in this situation Germany is the country that has become most dependent on imports of Russian gas. The gas pipeline “Nord Stream”, which runs from Russia to Germany, has reduced gas deliveries by 40 percent. On Friday, we will find out if the line will reopen. But there has been uncertainty about whether Russia will allow that to happen. REPAIR IN CANADA: Gazprom, which operates the Nord Stream pipeline, says it is waiting for parts that have been repaired. Photo: DADO RUVIC / Reuters Chief economist at Aker ASA, Torbjørn Kjus, believes that there is a significant probability that there will be a rationing of gas for the winter. – There has been talk of rationing if Nord Stream 1 does not start again. I think there will be a 50/50 chance if there is a rationing, he says. 50/50: Chief economist at Aker ASA believes that a coin toss could determine whether there will be rationing. Photo: AKER ASA Various measures have already been initiated to limit gas use over large parts of Europe. People are encouraged not to lower the temperature at home to below 25 degrees. This at the same time as Europe has been hit by a powerful heat wave. At present, gas reserves in Europe are about 64 percent full. According to the BBC, it can be difficult to reach the goal of 80 percent filling. Believes Germany has put itself in this situation. – It is clear that one has put oneself in such a situation with open eyes. People have been warned against the use of Russian gas for a long time, says Kjus. The uncertainty surrounding Russian gas supplies has led Europe to look for alternative gas sources. In the first instance, this is about resorting to other countries to cover gas needs and replenish stocks. The EU therefore hopes that Norway will be able to produce and export more gas during the next year. But they are also looking to countries such as Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Qatar to try to phase out Russian gas. But this will in no way be able to replace the gas from Russia in the short term. Investing in liquefied natural gas Germany is also investing in liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is refrigerated natural gas. LNG can be transported on cargo ships over sections where there are no gas pipes. ARTIC PRINCESS: Tankers like this can transport liquefied natural gas to Europe from countries such as the United States and Qatar. But LNG must be processed before it can be used for energy and it requires terminals that Germany currently lacks. Work to build such a terminal is underway, but it will probably not be ready until this winter. Kjos believes this indicates that Germany will continue to import gas for some time to come. – A lot of infrastructure must be built to do this. It may hint that gas will be a more long-term solution than previously thought, says Kjos.
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