EU could reduce Russian gas imports by more than a third within a year: IEA

The EU could reduce its Russian gas imports by more than one third within a year through a combination of measures, the International Energy Agency said March 3, as it outlined a 10-point plan for reducing the EU's dependence on Russian gas.

In 2021, the EU imported 155 Bcm of Russian gas, accounting for around 45% of EU gas imports and close to 40% of its total gas consumption, the IEA said.

"Europe's reliance on imported gas from Russia has again been thrown into sharp relief by Russia's invasion of Ukraine," the agency said.

It said its 10-point plan included a range of "complementary" actions that could be taken in the coming months, such as turning more to other suppliers, drawing on other energy sources and accelerating efforts to provide consumers with alternatives to natural gas.

"The proposed measures are fully consistent with the EU's European Green Deal and its Fit for 55 package," it said.

IEA executive director Fatih Birol said nobody was under "any illusions anymore" about Russia's actions.

"Russia's use of its gas resources as an economic and political weapon show Europe needs to act quickly to be ready to face considerable uncertainty over Russian gas supplies next winter," Birol said.

"The IEA's 10-point plan provides practical steps to cut Europe's reliance on Russian gas imports by over a third within a year," he said.

"Europe needs to rapidly reduce the dominant role of Russia in its energy markets and ramp up the alternatives as quickly as possible."

The ten points in the plan are:

1. Do not sign any new gas supply contracts with Russia to enable greater diversification of supply this year and beyond

2. Replace Russian supplies with gas from alternative sources, increasing non-Russian gas supply by around 30 Bcm/year (10 Bcm from other pipeline suppliers and domestic output and 20 Bcm from LNG)

3. Introduce minimum gas storage obligations to enhance resilience of the gas system by next winter

4. Accelerate the deployment of new wind and solar projects to reduce gas use by 6 Bcm within a year

5. Maximize power generation from bioenergy and nuclear to reduce gas use by 13 Bcm within a year

6. Enact short-term tax measures on windfall profits to shelter vulnerable electricity consumers from high prices

7. Speed up the replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps to reduce gas use by an additional 2 Bcm within a year

8. Accelerate energy efficiency improvements in buildings and industry to reduce gas use by close to 2 Bcm within a year

9. Encourage a temporary thermostat reduction of 1 °C by consumers to reduce gas use by some 10 Bcm within a year

10. Step up efforts to diversify and decarbonize sources of power system flexibility to loosen the strong links between gas supply and Europe's electricity security

Related Infographic: Russian invasion of Ukraine puts spotlight on security of oil, gas and commodities flows