The energy standoff between Moscow and Europe has deepened as Russia on July 27 added to the energy standoff between Moscow and the European Union by reducing gas supplies to Europe, making it difficult and expensive. Storage for the block is to be filled before the warm winter weather.
It came a day after EU countries approved a weaker emergency plan to curb gas demand after compromise agreements to limit cuts for some countries, hoping to get Moscow to step down. Reduced consumption will reduce the impact in the event of a complete shutdown of supply.
The plan highlights fears that countries will be unable to meet targets to replenish storage and keep their citizens warm during the winter months, and if gas has to be rationed, it would deal another blow to Europe’s weak economic growth. It may seem
How are EU countries dealing with energy shortages?
Germany
Germany, Europe’s largest economy and its biggest importer of Russian gas, has been hit by supply cuts since mid-June in particular, with its gas importer Uniper paying 15 billion euros ($15.21 billion) to the state. A bailout is needed.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner said he was ready to use nuclear power to avoid power shortages. The country has said it could extend the life of its three remaining nuclear plants, which generate 6 percent of its electricity, if Russia cuts it off from its gas supply.
German cities are turning off spotlights at public monuments, turning off fountains, and pouring cold water on municipal swimming pools and sports halls, as the country cuts its energy consumption in the face of the Russian gas crisis. is racing to reduce
Hannover has become the first major city to announce energy-saving measures, including turning off hot water in showers and bathrooms in city-run buildings and leisure centers, The Guardian reports.
Germany is currently in phase 2 of a three-phase emergency gas plan, the final phase of which is to avoid one-time rationing.
France
Shops in France will be ordered to close doors when using air conditioning and limit neon lighting to reduce energy waste, a minister said on July 25. leadership
The laws, already in place in some regions, will be implemented across France, Environment Transition Minister Agnes Panier-Rencher told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper, the BBC reported.
Pannier-Runacher told local radio station RMC that it was “ridiculous” to leave the door open when the air conditioning was on. Energy prices in Europe have risen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Greece
With about 40 percent of its gas supplies coming from Russia, Greece was heavily dependent on Moscow for its energy needs. The country unveiled an “operation thermostat” this year with the goal of reducing energy consumption by 10% and 30% by 2030. Measures include keeping air conditioners at temperatures below 27C in summer and installing window shields in public buildings.
Employees are urged to ensure that computers are turned off after working hours. As part of a major energy upgrade of state-owned facilities, the government has announced a €640m program to renew windows and heating and cooling systems in buildings.
To address its energy demand, Greece is set to sign a renewable energy deal with Saudi Arabia and negotiate other investment and security deals. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in Athens on July 26 in this regard.
Italy
Before Mario Draghi resigned as Italy’s prime minister last week, the government was planning measures to curb energy use – turning off lights around monuments, and other extreme measures such as a 7 p.m. Early closure of commercial activities.
Although no plan has yet been introduced, since May public buildings, except hospitals, have been told to prevent air conditioning units from running below 19C in summer and above 27C in winter, The Guardian reported. Reported.
Hungary
Hungary’s government has declared an energy emergency in response to supply disruptions and skyrocketing energy prices in Europe, an official said on July 19.
The protracted war and Brussels sanctions have dramatically increased energy prices across Europe, and indeed much of Europe is already suffering from an energy crisis, said Gergely Glaze, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbans.
Energy exports will be banned, he added, and Hungary’s only nuclear power plant will also increase its output by extending its operating hours. These measures will come into effect in August.
Hungary is heavily dependent on fossil fuels from Russia and last year signed a 15-year deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom to buy natural gas. Hungary gets 65% of its oil and 85% of its gas from Russia.
Spain
The Spanish government has rejected plans announced by the European Commission to cut gas consumption by 15 percent in the coming months, amid the prospect that Russia will cut gas supplies to Europe.
Spain and Portugal said mandating the cuts was a non-starter. He noted that they have few energy connections to the rest of Europe and consume much less Russian gas than fellow EU members such as Germany and Italy.
“We will defend European values, but we will not accept any sacrifice regarding an issue on which we are not even allowed to have an opinion,” said Spanish Climate Change Minister Teresa Ribera.
“We can ask the kids to turn off the lights, or we can keep the curtains down. We need to make things routine like turning off the lights when we leave a room. The thermostat. It is also important to use it correctly,” he said.
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