EU country raises concerns about importing Russian gas
A report indicates that the Austrian economy remains significantly dependent on energy imports from Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A sudden stoppage of Russian natural gas would have significant repercussions for Austria, as stated by the nation’s energy ministry.
According to a report by Bloomberg on Tuesday, Austria’s Energy Ministry has expressed concerns about a “massive risk” stemming from the country's heavy dependence on natural gas from Russia, a nation currently facing sanctions.
European gas prices began to rise sharply last week amid worries about supply disruptions following Ukrainian forces' incursion into Russia's Kursk Region, particularly affecting the town of Sudzha, situated about 9 km from the border. Sudzha hosts the last operational gas metering station between Ukraine and Russia.
“As long as there is a dependency on Russian gas supplies, there is a massive risk of a corresponding supply failure with far-reaching consequences,” the Austrian energy ministry noted late on Monday. The report indicated that officials urged, “We must end Austria’s dependency on Russian gas supplies as soon as possible.”
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Vienna has aimed to terminate its long-standing dependence on affordable Russian gas. However, it has struggled to identify alternative suppliers, with imports from other nations proving significantly more costly.
Last year, Austria's imports of Russian gas returned to pre-conflict levels, with the country bringing in nearly double the amount of gas needed for its economy. This stability in Russian gas supplies facilitated Vienna to become a net energy exporter for the first time in two decades.
Reports earlier this month revealed that Austria’s ruling coalition has vowed to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027 as part of an overarching transformation of the nation’s energy framework. The government plans to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in advance of the national elections scheduled for September 29.
In February, Austrian Energy Minister Leonor Gewessler emphasized the need for drastic measures to reduce the country's reliance on Russian gas, which includes potentially breaking a long-term agreement that state energy company OMV has with Russia's Gazprom, extending to 2040. Gewessler acknowledged that the proportion of Austria's gas imports from Russia was rising, with a record high of 98% reported in December.
The outlet referred to a worst-case scenario projected by the government, anticipating a sudden halt to Russian gas supplies, which would leave Austria unable to transport more fuel through Italy and potentially reduce gas storage to just 15% of its capacity by 2026.
A more plausible scenario predicts that Russian gas supplies may cease from January 2025, leaving storage at 60% of capacity as the country approaches 2027, according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Gazprom has reported that gas transit through Sudzha is ongoing as per contracted volumes.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to a report by Bloomberg on Tuesday, Austria’s Energy Ministry has expressed concerns about a “massive risk” stemming from the country's heavy dependence on natural gas from Russia, a nation currently facing sanctions.
European gas prices began to rise sharply last week amid worries about supply disruptions following Ukrainian forces' incursion into Russia's Kursk Region, particularly affecting the town of Sudzha, situated about 9 km from the border. Sudzha hosts the last operational gas metering station between Ukraine and Russia.
“As long as there is a dependency on Russian gas supplies, there is a massive risk of a corresponding supply failure with far-reaching consequences,” the Austrian energy ministry noted late on Monday. The report indicated that officials urged, “We must end Austria’s dependency on Russian gas supplies as soon as possible.”
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Vienna has aimed to terminate its long-standing dependence on affordable Russian gas. However, it has struggled to identify alternative suppliers, with imports from other nations proving significantly more costly.
Last year, Austria's imports of Russian gas returned to pre-conflict levels, with the country bringing in nearly double the amount of gas needed for its economy. This stability in Russian gas supplies facilitated Vienna to become a net energy exporter for the first time in two decades.
Reports earlier this month revealed that Austria’s ruling coalition has vowed to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027 as part of an overarching transformation of the nation’s energy framework. The government plans to unveil a comprehensive roadmap in advance of the national elections scheduled for September 29.
In February, Austrian Energy Minister Leonor Gewessler emphasized the need for drastic measures to reduce the country's reliance on Russian gas, which includes potentially breaking a long-term agreement that state energy company OMV has with Russia's Gazprom, extending to 2040. Gewessler acknowledged that the proportion of Austria's gas imports from Russia was rising, with a record high of 98% reported in December.
The outlet referred to a worst-case scenario projected by the government, anticipating a sudden halt to Russian gas supplies, which would leave Austria unable to transport more fuel through Italy and potentially reduce gas storage to just 15% of its capacity by 2026.
A more plausible scenario predicts that Russian gas supplies may cease from January 2025, leaving storage at 60% of capacity as the country approaches 2027, according to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, Gazprom has reported that gas transit through Sudzha is ongoing as per contracted volumes.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
