UNECE - Executive Committee (EXCOM): Final EU Statement: Committee on Sustainable Energy - High Level Segment

Thank you Chair for the possibility of reacting to the high level speakers on this eminently important and sensitive question of the resilience of our energy systems in the UNECE. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

Allow me in introduction to reiterate the EU unwavering support to Ukraine,  and condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU and its Member States take this opportunity to again urge Russia to immediately stop its indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

As to the important  question of energy resilience in Europe, this time last year, we started to see the first signs of unprecedented high gas prices and market volatility. This has since been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its weaponisation of gas through subsequent cuts in gas supplies.

Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, 13 Member States have been cut off from Russian gas – either partially or totally.

We have seen a 76% reduction in gas flows from the East. At the same time, flows from Ukraine are down by 83%.

Nord Stream 1 was completely shut down 31 August.

This interruption does not pose an immediate threat to security of supply in Europe. So far, the European gas system has proved to be resilient and able to absorb alternative gas supplies to replace Russian gas. Gas storage is today over 81%.

Nevertheless, we don’t underestimate the seriousness of the situation and its knock-on effects.

But we should not allow the energy crisis to threaten our climate goals. 

Over the past few years, the European Union has set ambitious targets to reach the objective of climate neutrality by 2050.

As the EU works towards achieving that goal, the current situation calls for a thorough reassessment of how we ensure the security of our energy supplies.

In this respect, the EU has agreed to phase out our dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible, in particular by:

1. accelerating the reduction of our overall reliance on fossil fuels;
2. diversifying our supplies and routes including through the use of LNG and the development of biogas;
3. further developing a hydrogen market for Europe;
4. speeding up the development of renewables, as well as streamlining authorisation procedures;
5. completing and improving the interconnection of European gas and electricity networks and fully synchronising our power grids throughout the EU;
6. reinforcing EU contingency planning for security of supply;
7. improving energy efficiency.

The Union is currently finalising its RePowerEU plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition.

Beyond the borders of the EU, EU’s external energy strategy underlines EU support to Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries. With the new REPower Ukraine initiative we will continue to support Ukraine to ensure security of supply and well-functioning energy sector and pave the way for ‘green’ reconstruction in Ukraine and future trade in electricity and renewable hydrogen and strengthen cooperation on biomethane/biogas.

In conclusion, these are testing times for energy resilience, especially in Europe. We are taking measures to address the current energy crisis in the short term, while not compromising our medium-to-long term objectives of decarbonisation.