“First of all we agreed that underground gas storage should reach full capacity before winter arrives,” said Simpson, who appeared on ETV’s Esimene study policy discussion program Thursday evening.
“Today it is 95% full. This is much more than last year. Furthermore, we agreed that all lost volumes of Russian gas should be replaced by reliable producers. “
Samson said: “We were able to agree with Norway, Azerbaijan and Algeria. They increased their volume by 24 billion cubic meters. [Russian] Pipeline gas has been replaced by liquefied natural gas. /… / So far we have replaced up to the last molecule with a substitute. “
He added that this source will not be removed and will not be allowed to affect other energy fields.
We do not want the gas crisis to turn into an electricity crisis. Hopefully, we will spend this winter non-stop. True, the price levels are higher and there are risks, for example, with the unexpected maintenance of nuclear power plants. It will damage the entire market area because the size of the nuclear power plants is very large, “said Simpson.
As EU countries have not been able to agree on a single package of sanctions on gas supply, Russian gas still enters Europe via pipelines through Ukraine and Turkey, for example, but Simpson said that the option should be ready. Russia. Gas supply as it is, disconnected in the middle of winter.
He added: “It is true that it is not possible to buy 55 billion cubic meters [of Russian gas] It simply does not exist in global markets. Then our answer would be this: consume less, save fuel where you can.
Potential and possible disruptions to Russian gas supply mean that by 2023/2024 For the winter of 2018, Europe, including our region, should have the capacity to receive more LNG, also reviewing all deliveries booked at LNG terminals in the region to ensure they are bona fide LNG bookings.
Simpson told Ismen Studio that Europe is preparing to let a full year go by next winter without interruptions in the supply of electricity and gas, and so far the plan has worked, while the principle of solidarity, according to which member states they have no shortage of natural gas. The Commissioner added that supply problems or a mild climate are important, which are relevant for those Member States or neighboring countries that have problems.
Estonia itself has concluded such an agreement with Finland and Latvia, although in total there are currently six solidarity agreements between the countries of the European Union.
Simpson hoped that EU energy ministers would be able to agree on a pan-European solidarity pact which would mean that no member state would be left in the lurch.
Simpson added that natural gas power plants are essential during peak winter consumption periods. A moment in which consumption exceeds supply, making the reduction of consumption the primary solution.
The European Commission has also proposed a preferential status for natural gas power plants as consumers of natural gas, equal to the domestic consumer.
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