The demand for European reducing gases questioned a scramble to construct new GNL import terminals, however the maneuver margin stays to extend the imports from us as required by President Donald Trump.
With the European gasoline demand at a minimal of 11 years, the imports of liquefied pure gasoline (GNL) within the EU decreased by 16% final yr in comparison with 2023, an evolution of the market that would have vital geopolitical implications.
With the gasoline of the pipeline from Russia diminished to a Riveolo for the reason that Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has compensated by the rise within the imports of GNL, particularly from the United States, but additionally controversial, from identical Russia.
However, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEFA) reported on Tuesday, the EU -lines of line -up terminals – during which the transport shipments are pumped into the gasoline pipeline – solely 42% of capability operated on common, with Many barely used.
Since February 2022, the EU has added the import capability for about 50 billion cubic meters of gasoline per yr, primarily in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France and Finland. Based on present plans and demand developments, the full capability might solely be used at 30% by 2030, he warned the vitality transition Tank Tank.
“By doubling the brand new GNL terminals with out taking into account the demand tendencies will increase the danger of extra investments and infrastructures underutilized when the vitality transition accelerates,” mentioned Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, primary analyst of Ieefa for European vitality.
Šefčovič go to Washington
But the blocked or underutilized property is probably not probably the most speedy concern in Brussels. The EU continues to import vital portions of Russian GNL – regardless of the unofficial goal of the European Commission to finish all of the imports of fossil fuels by 2027, which would be the topic of a “roadmap” scheduled for publication on March twenty sixth .
Before then, the vice -president liable for commerce Maroš Šefčovič will journey to Washington on Wednesday (February 19) to attempt to go away an EU business warfare, probably the most senior EU official to be despatched from the inauguration of Trump.
It is undoubtedly conscious that between the varied ultimatums and the threats of the President of the United States in latest months it has been the promise to impose massive charges for Europe until you enhance the imports of GNL.
The commissioner will meet the business consultant of the United States Jamieson Greer, the secretary of the Howard Lutnick commerce and the primary financial adviser of Trump Kevin Hassett. The EU government refused to face the substance of the interviews, however mentioned that Šefčovič would have transmitted “in a really easy approach the idea of the precept of the European Union that the charges aren’t wanted and that they information us in the direction of the losses outcomes”.
Brussels monitoring “very carefully”
The Energy spokesman for the Anna-Kaisa Itkonen Commission wouldn’t affirm whether or not or not the vitality was on the agenda, however noticed that “the GNL is one thing that President Von der Leyen talked about as a subject that we’ve got additionally mentioned In the previous with the United States “.
Last yr the imports of GNL from the United States quantity to 63 billion cubic meters, or 46% of the full – however the IEFA information counsel that there could be room to extend this quantity, given that just about 22 billion has been imported Russian LNG, 18% on volumes 2023.
“A 3rd of the imports of the EU of Russian GNL was operational at factors in 2024,” mentioned Jaller-Makarewicz. “Member States ought to give precedence to get rid of these flows eradicated, which aren’t topic to lengthy -term contracts.”
Brussels – who thus far has opposed the gasoline penalties – was monitoring the demand for gasoline very carefully because it finalizes its technique of exit from dependancy to Russian vitality, mentioned Itkonen. “Obviously all this data and all these statistics will tear on this work,” he mentioned.
On Monday (February 24) it’s going to mark three years since Russian tanks poured by way of the Ukrainian border. At that point, a mix of measures to cut back the demand and distribution of renewable energies noticed an total demand for European gases descend by a few fifth.
