Answer given by Ms Simson on behalf of the European Commission
14.6.2022
The EU has a well-connected network of 20 main LNG[1] terminals with regasification capacities. The total EU capacity is 15.3 billion cubic meters (bcm) per month. ENTSOG’s[2] analysis estimated that the EU could, through optimal use of the capacity, import up to 13.7 bcm per month[3].
Additional LNG capacities could be available in EU in the short term (2022-2023) through two main channels:
— Planned investments in the expansion of the existing or new LNG onshore terminals;
— Floating storage and regasification units (FSRU).
The Commission has concluded a political agreement with the United States for an additional volume of 15 bcm LNG for 2022 and is working on increasing capacity of existing partners in other regions.
The Commission, in close cooperation with the Member States, has set up the EU Energy Platform to improve security of gas supply and accelerate the diversification from Russian gas.
Moreover, as requested by the European Council, the Commission adopted on 18 May 2022, a REPowerEU plan[4] to phase out EU dependence on fossil fuels from Russia as soon as possible, including an assessment of remaining gas infrastructure gaps that require immediate alleviation.