Gas: a history of Energy Security in the EU. And what’s next post-Russia?

February 14, 2023 by James Kneebone

energypost.eu

The security of supply of gas has been the hottest topic of the last 12 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. James Kneebone at the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) has written an explainer that lays out the EU’s history of dealing with energy security, going back to the 1990s. Because the EU has a single market for natural gas and widely shared value chains (pipelines, LNG terminals, storage, etc.), impacts are felt across the bloc. But that interconnectedness is also a strength and the basis for ensuring security across the region. Kneebone also details the updated regulations that are behind the drive to build in new capacity and obligations for solidarity between Member States. It means that today, the coordination and cooperation for allocating resources and delivering better energy security are stronger than ever.

What is security of supply?  

The European Environment Agency (EEA) define security of energy supply as “…the availability of energy at all times in various forms, in sufficient quantities, and at reasonable and/or affordable prices.” In the context of gas security of supply specifically, the concept refers to the provision of gaseous energy, namely ‘natural gas’[1].

What does a security of supply risk look like?  

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The Massive Gas Field That Europe Can’t Use

Earthquake risks in the Netherlands have locals unwilling to plug the Russia-related energy shortfall.

The gas Megafield Europe Can’t use

By Cagan Koc and Diederik Baazil

11:01 GMT+7 6 tháng 10, 2022, Bloomberg

Beneath the windmill-dotted marshlands of the Netherlands lies Europe’s largest natural gas reserve. The sprawling Groningen field has enough untapped capacity to replace, as soon as this winter, much of the fuel Germany once imported from Russia.

Instead the field is in the process of shutting down, and the Netherlands is rebuffing calls to pump more, even as Europe braces for perhaps its toughest winter since World War II. The reason: Drilling has led to repeated earthquakes, and Dutch officials are loath to risk a backlash from residents by breaking promises.

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The world’s youngest prime minister – Sanna Marin of Finland has defied Vladimir Putin in joining NATO

abc.net.au – By Lucy Sweeney and Lucia Stein

Sanna Marin smiles widely as she stands outdoors in a white collared shirt
Sanna Marin became the youngest leader in the world when she took over as Finland’s Prime Minister in 2019.(Reuters: Remo Casilli)

When Finland’s Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, and Sweden’s leader, Magdalena Andersson, met for a key press conference in April, it became a defining moment for both countries. 

For decades, Finland and Sweden had clung to their non-militarily-aligned status, pursuing close ties with Europe, while maintaining a cordial relationship with their eastern neighbour, Russia. But the war in Ukraine changed everything. 

While Ms Marin refused to give any kind of timetable on the decision at the time, she hinted at the press conference that Finland’s bid would happen “quite fast”.

Her prediction came true. Within a month, the proposal was before Finland’s parliament and signed off, and this week the full membership of NATO agreed to formally invite both countries to officially join the alliance.

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The revolt against liberalism: what’s driving Poland and Hungary’s nativist turn? – podcast

For the hardline conservatives ruling Poland and Hungary, the transition from communism to liberal democracy was a mirage. They fervently believe a more decisive break with the past is needed to achieve national liberation. By Nicholas Mulder

theguardian

Written by Nicholas Mulder, read by Tanya Cubric and produced by Esther Opoku-Gyeni

Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán at an electoral rally in April 2018.
Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán at an electoral rally in April 2018. Photograph: Zsolt Szigetvary/EPA

Sat 21 Aug 2021 12.00 BST – Last modified on Mon 23 Aug 2021 09.19 BST

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Germany to invest billions to bring semiconductor production back to Europe

euractiv.com

By Oliver Noyan | EURACTIV.de | translated by Daniel Eck

 3 Sept 2021 (updated:  0:16)

Europe is not just trailing behind in terms of numbers, but also with respect to quality. Most advanced microchips, which are used in smartphones, computers and other high-tech devices, are currently produced almost exclusively in Asia. [SCHUTTERSTOCK/genkur]

Languages: Deutsch

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Covid-19 Reveals Critical Flaw In European Power Systems – Lack Of Flexibility

Wood Mackenzie

Coronavirus had a sudden and dramatic negative impact on power demand, which fell by 20% in the UK during the lockdown period with similar drops across Europe. Coronavirus power demand destruction has given us a glimpse into the future when variable renewable energy (VRE: wind and solar) makes up a higher proportion of power supply. At current levels, the power system lacks the flexibility to support this variability: the bigger the share of VRE in a system, the greater the challenge.
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These 11 EU states already meet their 2020 renewable energy targets

Weforum.org

Steam billows from the cooling towers of Vattenfall's Jaenschwalde brown coal power station behind wind turbines near Cottbus, eastern Germany December 2, 2009. Most world leaders plan to attend a climate summit in Copenhagen December 7-18, boosting chances that a new U.N. deal to fight climate change will be reached, host Denmark said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski (GERMANY - Tags: ENERGY ENVIRONMENT) - BM2E5C21BNF01

The Nordic countries are among the strongest performers.

Almost half of the European Union’s (EU) 28 member states have already hit, or are close to hitting, their 2020 renewable energy targets.

But despite this, there has been a gradual slow-down in the rate of renewable energy use across the EU, and some member states have a lot of ground to make up this year.
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Monsanto lobbyists barred from European Parliament

Monsanto Lobbyists cannot enter the doors of the European Parliament until further notice. [Shutterstock]

euractive_Monsanto has paid for its refusal to appear before the European Parliament by losing its right to enter it, as MEPS have shut the door on their lobbyists until further notice. EURACTIV France reports.

The Conference of the Presidents – composed of the leaders of the European Parlaiment’s groups – decided on Thursday (28 September) to withdraw the right of the American company’s lobbysts to access the Parliament’s buildings.

“We have just officially refused access to the European Parliament to Monsanto lobbyists. This decision has been taken by the Conferenfe of the Presidents on 28 September,” explained Marc Tarabella, head of the Belgian Socialist Party delegation, in a press release.