Several European countries have already prepared and presented action plans in the event that gas supplies from Russia are reduced or stopped altogether. The measures include both more rational flow management and setting specific “rations” for businesses and households, BTA said.
Russia has threatened to cut off supplies if “enemy” states refuse to pay for supplies in rubles, as President Vladimir Putin has demanded.
What exactly do the countries intend to do, Reuters reports:
Austria
The country that imports about 80 percent of Russia’s gas, activated the first step of a three-step contingency plan and tightened gas market monitoring, but has so far not taken concrete steps to ensure alternative supplies. The imposition of gas “rations” will be undertaken only if the third phase of the plan, entitled “immediate crisis”, is reached.
Bulgaria
The country that imports more than 90 percent of its gas from Russia, is negotiating with Azerbaijan for gas supplies and is looking for ways to use the liquefied gas terminals in Greece and Turkey. The transmission network operator has opened a tender to expand the underground storage and double its capacity and is preparing for a possible disruption of gas supplies.
Great Britain
According to a spokesman for the national electricity grid, supplies are possible from several different sources. Deliveries are expected to be sufficient in all scenarios. Britain receives only 3 percent of its gas from Russia.
Denmark
Denmark has said it has the same action plan as Germany, which is essentially pan-European, but each country has a right to its own assessment of the problem. So far, Copenhagen has not activated the first phase of its action plan.
Germany
Germany activated the first phase of its contingency plan last week. The second stage involves supply disruptions or high consumption, which upsets the balance and cannot be balanced without intervention. The third level is an emergency situation where market measures no longer work and the grid regulator gets the right to decide how to distribute gas. In 2021, Germany imported 55 percent of its gas from Russia, and in 2022 – 40 percent.
Greece
Under its action plan, the country, which uses gas mainly to produce electricity, will receive additional quantities of liquefied gas, and four thermal power plants will switch to diesel. Azeri gas supplies will also increase. The free capacity for coal electricity production will also be activated. Russian gas covers about 40 percent of the country’s needs.
Italy
Environment Minister Roberto Chingolani told Radio 24 that Italy could count on significant reserves to avoid a critical situation in the next few months, even if there were interruptions in supplies from Russia. According to him, the first deals for deliveries through pipelines from Algeria, Libya and Azerbaijan, as well as terminals from Qatar, the United States and Mozambique can be concluded next week. Italy receives 40 percent of its gas from Russia.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands receives 15-20 percent of its gas from Russia. The government has asked businesses and residents to reduce consumption, but has not yet activated a crisis plan.
Poland
Under the reserve requirement law, in the event of a supply risk, the Polish Ministry of Climate Affairs makes a formal request to the government to impose restrictions on the use of gas by consumers. They affect industry first, and households are protected. PAlder imports about 50 percent of its gas from Russia.
France
The French transmission network operator GRTgaz has prepared measures to act in the event of supply disruptions and called for the storage facilities to be filled before next winter. The measures allow companies to reduce or stop gas consumption for up to two hours for large network users. France receives about 20 percent of its gas from Russia.
EXPECT DETAILS IN BLITZ!
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