Liquefied gas has therefore become an alternative for Europe for gas from our own soil or via the pipelines. For years, that subterfuge was not really necessary. “The Gate terminal was like a pilot light,” Guth says. “But if too little gas comes through the pipelines, like now, it’s nice that we have an alternative.”
If the Rotterdam capacity is fully used, this is sufficient for about a quarter of Dutch gas consumption. More is also not possible, because there are not enough factories in Europe to convert the LNG. “We are therefore 35 to 40 percent dependent on Russian gas,” says Lucia van Geuns of The Hague Center for Strategic Studies.
And there are now concerns, because Russia mainly concludes far fewer short-term contracts. “It seems as if they are preparing a bit for a possible conflict in Ukraine,” says Van Geuns. “Although of course we are not sure whether Russia will use the gas as a geopolitical weapon.”
Emergency Scenarios
Should that happen, the extra liquid gas will not be enough to keep Europe going. According to van Geuns, such a scenario is already being considered behind the scenes. “Of course politicians look at what the crisis measures are if the gas is no longer supplied in Europe,” says Van Geuns.
If it comes to that, the government may, for example, ask large-scale consumers in industry to switch off. “At the same time, they may ask whether the population is turning down the thermostat a bit,” says Van Geuns. “Or at least produce more of our own gas in countries that can do that.”
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