Answer given by Ms Simson on behalf of the European Commission
13.4.2022
Security of gas supply has been a long-standing objective of EU energy policy. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, diversification of supply routes and sources has become ever more urgent, in order to phase out EU dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports as soon as possible before 2030, as proposed by the Commission in the REPowerEU Communication[1] and endorsed by the European Council of 24-25 March 2022.
As part of diversification efforts, the EU aims at an enhanced role for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). In the past months, the United States (US) has become the most important, reliable supplier of LNG to the EU[2]. US LNG has significantly contributed to the EU’s energy security during the present winter.
The EU has committed itself to become climate neutral by 2050, which means that the EU’s gas system needs to be decarbonised by then. Natural gas can still play a transitional role, for instance by replacing[3] more polluting fossil fuels such as coal and providing flexible balancing and back up to renewable energy.
The implementation of the EU’s energy transition will lead to a strong deployment of cleaner sources of energy[4], decreasing dependence on fossil gas imports and entailing major economic benefits.
The transatlantic partnership remains the most important and strategic relationship for the EU and its Member States. In the framework of the EU-US Energy Council[5], it covers energy security, policy, and technology based on a joint commitment to the clean energy transition and meeting net zero emissions by 2050.
The Joint Statement between the European Commission and the US[6] on European Energy Security[7] reconfirms the strategic energy cooperation. A new joint Task Force on Energy Security will set out the parameters of this cooperation and execute its implementation.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52022DC0108 — 8 March 2022.
- [2] The US supplied 4.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of LNG to the EU in January 2022 and 4.3 bcm in February 2022, representing 45% of total EU LNG imports since the start of 2022.
- [3] In some EU Member States.
- [4] In industry and for heating and power production.
- [5] Held on 7 February 2022.
- [6] 25 March 2022.
- [7] The US will strive to ensure, including working with international partners, additional (LNG) volumes for the EU market of at least 15 bcm in 2022 with expected increases going forward.