The European Commission (EC) has unveiled a new action plan to cut Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels earlier than 2030.
The action plan also provides an array of measures to tackle the potential rise in energy prices in Europe, and to re-procure gas stocks for the coming winter.
Under the REPowerEU plan, EC aims to cut EU’s demand for Russian gas by more than 70% of gas imports before the end of the year.
The plan advises diversification of gas supplies by increasing LNG and pipeline imports from non-Russian suppliers, and promoting biomethane and renewable hydrogen.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We must become independent from Russian oil, coal and gas. We simply cannot rely on a supplier who explicitly threatens us.
“We need to act now to mitigate the impact of rising energy prices, diversify our gas supply for next winter and accelerate the clean energy transition.
“The quicker we switch to renewables and hydrogen, combined with more energy efficiency, the quicker we will be truly independent and master our own energy system.”
EC intends to present a legislative proposal next month, which requires EU-wide underground gas storage to be filled up to a minimum of 90% capacity by October.
The proposal would involve the monitoring and enforcement of filling levels and strengthen solidarity arrangements between EU member states.
EU imports 90% of the gas it consumes, where Russia accounts for around 45% of the imports, including around 25% oil and 45% coal imports.
See the European Commission plan here.