EU gas storage facilities are 92% full and Russia’s share of the bloc’s imported pipeline gas has fallen to 9%, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on October 18, 2022, as she presented a new package of measures to tackle high energy prices.
From 40% to 9%
“Russia’s war against Ukraine has triggered severe knock-on effects,” von der Leyen said, describing an “unprecedented energy crisis.” Russia’s share of EU pipeline gas imports had been around 40% at the start of the war, Gasworld reported.
The EU had set a target of filling storage to 80% by November 1 to prepare for winter, a level it reached well ahead of schedule.
New measures
The package proposed by the Commission included joint purchasing of gas by member states, measures to curb price volatility on gas markets and greater solidarity between countries in the event of supply shortages.
Russian supplies cut
Russia has sharply reduced gas deliveries to Europe since the invasion, halting flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in early September and cutting supplies to several countries. The EU has responded by importing more liquefied natural gas, increasing supplies from Norway and other producers, and reducing consumption.
Sources
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