Measures to reduce dependence on gas from Russia ‘as soon as possible’ | Inland

In the short term, the national government will also start an energy-saving campaign to bring the possibilities for sustainability even better ‘to both companies and households’.

Few supply security problems are expected for the coming months – now that there is still sufficient gas in storage. However, there are concerns about rising energy prices.

The letter from Jetten and Vijlbrief shows that the measures are mainly aimed at preparing for the coming winter by importing more (liquefied) gas from other countries and ensuring that the gas storages are sufficiently filled.

Accelerated sustainability

Measures will also be taken to save more energy, so that less gas is needed. There are also plans to ‘accelerate sustainability and produce more renewable energy’ in order to get rid of Russian gas more quickly. Earlier, energy experts also suggested that our coal-fired plants, which are not running at full capacity, should be heated more. Nothing about this can be found in the first cabinet plans. Jetten does say in an initial response that ‘you can’t rule out anything in an emergency’.

Jetten writes: “That is a complicated task that entails dilemmas, in which we have to find the right balance between the reliability, affordability, sustainability and safety of our energy supply. Everyone will have to contribute to that.”

Additional measures for gas storage

Due to the extremely high gas prices and additional risks of losses, it is currently not attractive for companies to fill the gas storage sufficiently. “The cabinet therefore wants to take additional measures in the short term to guarantee that the gas storages that are not covered by the existing government agreements (Norg Agreement) are also sufficiently filled by 1 October. Various options will be developed for this in the coming weeks, such as intervening through market incentives by covering price risks, filling obligations for gas storage facilities and filling the gas storage facilities by a party designated by the government. In addition to rapid deployability, limiting financial and market-disrupting risks is central to this.”

In addition, the government is taking measures to increase the import capacity of liquefied gas (LNG) in the Netherlands in the short term.

“This makes it possible to import more gas from other countries. This can be done by expanding the capacity of the existing LNG terminal in Rotterdam, where LNG is converted to gas-forming natural gas, so that an additional 5 to 8 billion m3 of gas can be imported per year. Another option is the deployment of a floating LNG facility in Eemshaven, which will allow an additional 4 billion m3 of gas to be imported.” No final decision has yet been taken on this.

Sustainability

Jetten and Vijlbrief are also putting pressure on extra rapid sustainability. “For example, by accelerating the insulation of (rental) houses, tightening up the energy-saving obligation for companies, scaling up the production of green gas and accelerating the installation of solar energy and wind turbines at sea. In addition, the national government will soon start a campaign to draw attention to the possibilities of energy-saving measures and practical tips among households and companies.”

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