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Spaces in EU's preparation for potential gas crises, auditors state

The European Union is insufficiently prepared to weather a future gas crisis in spite of presenting a raft of measures to end its reliance on Russian energy, the European Court of Auditors stated on Monday.

Europe's energy supply was overthrown in 2022 when former top gas supplier Russia invaded Ukraine and slashed fuel shipments, prompting the EU to present emergency situation policies to fill gas storage, decrease gas usage, and collectively buy gas.

Europe handled to avoid a significant gas lack during the crisis, however it is uncertain how much of that can be credited to EU policies versus other aspects like moderate winter weather and high rates causing markets to utilize less gas, the ECA said in a. report on Monday.

Coordination between Brussels and EU countries helped to. forge new gas supply paths to avoid lacks, and the EU's. responsibility for countries to fill gas storage 90% ahead of winter season. created market certainty, the report said.

But the auditors stated these actions did not sufficiently. address the cost of gas, the cost of which surged to. above 300 euros ($ 322) per megawatt hour in August 2022 from. around 50 euros per MWh a year prior.

The Commission knew currently in 2014 that a cut-off of. Russian gas would have a substantial impact on costs, but never ever. designed its results on consumers or market, stated Joao Leao,. who led the audit.

The auditors flagged other gaps in Europe's preparations for. supply crises, keeping in mind that 6 EU nations have kept the alternative. to cut off gas deliveries to their neighbours in an emergency situation.

They declined to talk about how the arranged expiry this. year of an offer on the transit of Russian gas to Europe by means of. Ukraine would impact Europe's energy security. However they kept in mind. the EU's general dependence on Russia has actually dropped from 45% of. overall gas products in 2021 to around 15% in 2015.

Europe's gas need is anticipated to reduce as countries. minimize nonrenewable fuel source usage to satisfy environment objectives. The. auditors stated the EU is far behind on its plans to build carbon. capture infrastructure to catch the emissions from continued. gas combustion.

(source: Reuters)