IEA drafts 10-step plan to cut EU’s dependency on Russian gas

MOSCOW, Mar 3 (PRIME) -- The International Energy Agency (IEA) has drafted a 10-step plan to reduce E.U.’s demand for Russian natural gas by about 33%, or by more than 50 billion cubic meters (bcm), in a year, the agency said in a report on Thursday.

The major points of the plan include a refusal of signing new contracts with Russia and replacement of supplies with other sources, the agency said.

The IEA estimates Europe’s gas imports from Russia at around 155 bcm in 2021, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It will be very difficult for the E.U. to decrease dependency on Russian gas, it will need coordinated and constant political efforts in many sectors and active international dialogue about the energy markets. Still, Europe could more than halve imports of Russian gas, or reduce them by 80 bcm, if it sacrifices reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

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