The loss of Russian gas means that the European Commission today presented an emergency plan to recover “safely through the winter”. The website Politico refers to the energy plan as the most intrusive signed “technocrats” in Brussels (“their most far-reaching power grab yet seen in 2022”). In practice, the plan means that Brussels can order member states to cut consumption in the period August – May. There is no limit to what these cuts can mean. – This means that the situation now is much more dramatic than anyone could expect. It will shoot up the price of gas in the air with subsequent consequences for electricity prices, says Brussels expert Paal Frisvold. Power analyst at StormGeo, Sigbjørn Seland, takes more restraint. – This was to a large extent already “digested” by the market players, and in isolation does not mean much for power prices in Norway. But it shows how seriously the EU assesses the situation, and if this in the worst case leads to the power cables from Germany and the Netherlands being closed for export to the southwest, it can potentially have a lot to say for power prices over the winter, he says. – Understandable that the EU raises its preparedness Frode Alfheim, federal leader Industri Energi – This shows that the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine is bloody serious for Europe as well. The EU is now taking the consequences of the war and taking action to secure its energy supply and economy. The most important thing Norway can do is to ensure that we deliver everything we can from gas from the Norwegian shelf to Europe. Our members will contribute every single day. Asgeir Tomasgard, professor at NTNU – If all Russian gas were to disappear from the European market already this year, it will in the short term create a need to prioritize strongly how the gas from other sources will be used. It is understandable that the EU raises its preparedness and prepares itself for this to happen. In the longer term, the gas can be replaced, among other things, with LNG imports, energy efficiency and renewable energy. But in the short term, a complete loss of Russian gas will be felt well in Europe’s energy system and drastic measures such as those outlined will be necessary. Bård Ludvig Thorheim, Conservative – This plan shows how strained the energy situation is in Europe. We must show solidarity with our allies and partners in Europe as Putin seeks to exploit vulnerabilities. Norway should look for more gas also in new areas (26th licensing round) to prevent Norwegian gas deliveries from plummeting in a few years. Then we can prevent the recurrence of climate work with increased use of coal power from becoming permanent. We need faster development of renewables, under this offshore wind and more hydropower, both for our own security of supply and as a contribution with surplus power into the European energy market. Sofie Marhaug, Raudt – Energy efficiency at all levels, including business, is important both for security of supply, to save the environment and to make Europe independent of Russian gas. In Norway, the power processing industry is close to clean energy. Proximity to clean power also reduces grid loss and is thus an energy saving measure in itself. Prior to the liberalization of the market and the ever closer connection to larger and more expensive price areas, Norway has had pure and reasonable power as a competitive advantage. Long-term contracts secure the large-scale industry. For Norway, it is important to stick to this, not least from a climate perspective, and requirements for energy efficiency should be included in the agreements. The alternative to cheap power is fast cheap labor. Ola Elvestuen, Venstre – The proposal shows how crucial it is for the EU to become independent of Russian gas as quickly as possible. In this situation, Norway must also strengthen energy cooperation with the EU, and various proposals to limit the exchange of power with Europe while Russia continues the war of aggression against Ukraine must be rejected. WHEN HE MEETED HIM: In January, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met the German Chancellor to get him to use Norwegian gas in a transition phase to green energy. Photo: MARKUS SCHREIBER / AP / NTB The situation came abruptly after the crisis plan comes after Russia has restricted gas supplies to the continent as a result of what the European Commission calls a “deliberate and deliberate attempt to use energy as a political weapon”. . In total, 12 of the EU’s 27 member states have had Russian gas supplies closed or drastically reduced. The EU has previously agreed to free itself from Russian gas, but then with 2027 as the time horizon. The last turn has therefore come abruptly. – There is no reason to believe that this pattern will change. On the other hand, there are several signals that point to the fact that this will continue and worsen the gas supply in Europe, it is stated in the document from the EU Commission. The Commission concludes that there is a “high risk” that the Russians will cut all gas to Europe before the end of the year, and that this requires a resolute and coordinated response. Will impose reduced heating Right now, gas storage in Europe is about 64 percent full. According to the BBC, it can be difficult to reach the goal of 80 percent filling. Among the measures proposed are savings campaigns aimed at households. The Commission will also order reduced heating of public buildings, offices and commercial buildings. In addition, a binding reduction in consumption has been proposed for parts of the industry, and an encouragement to “move the production of goods to regions that are less exposed to shortages of supply”. The plan also includes a “solidarity mechanism” which commands that European countries must help each other to secure the most vulnerable groups. Within the EU, there are strong forces that want a boycott of Russian gas, but there is no majority for that. So far, EU countries have only gathered to impose an oil boycott. Six days in a section In a section that seems to be minting on Germany, the Commission proposes that plans to phase out nuclear power be postponed. Angela Merkel decided in 2011 to decommission all nuclear power by 2022, but three nuclear power plants in Germany are still active. Until then. The goal is for the member states to approve the plan by 26 July, during the extraordinary meeting of energy ministers in Brussels in six days. It is believed that the regulations will be adopted by a qualified majority. In practice, therefore, some countries, such as Hungary, will not be able to veto.
ttn-69
European crisis plan will force people to save energy – news Vestland
