Energy cuts put Europe on chill alert

ROME — As winter begins, European countries are taking steps to soften the blow from a shortage of Russian natural gas to the continent, and the continent's plight may have an impact lasting for years, analysts say.

When gas supplies from Russia started to dwindle earlier this year, European countries set a goal of filling natural gas storage facilities to at least 80 percent of capacity by Nov 1, the traditional start of the winter months. Figures show countries have surpassed that level, topping 90 percent in early October and adding to that since then.

Analysts say reduced natural gas use, due to a combination of conservation efforts and unusually warm weather in the weeks before Nov 1, has helped add to storage levels.

Massimo Nicolazzi, an adviser for the Energy Security Program with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, said gas use in Europe was 25 percent lower last month than it was in October last year.

But while high storage levels may help avoid rolling blackouts and rationing as some had feared, that does not mean the biggest obstacles have been surpassed.

Figures are expected to show that inflation in the 19-member eurozone climbed to a record high of 10.7 percent last month, a figure driven largely by higher energy prices, according to a flash estimate from the statistics agency Eurostat last week.

Nicolazzi said that natural gas in Europe is mostly used by families, energy production and industries, and the countries are taking various steps to curb its use, such as through policies related to energy storage, joint purchases or price caps.

Antony Froggatt, deputy director and senior research fellow with the Environment and Society Program at Chatham House in London, said government moves to confront the energy crisis in Europe have been a "mixed bag".

Call for renewables

Higher energy prices have resulted in increased efficiency and public support for developing renewable energy. A rush to replace Russian gas has forced governments to invest in gas liquefaction plants and find alternative sources for natural gas, Froggatt said.

However, the amount of money governments have earmarked for reducing the impacts of surging energy prices, at least 500 billion euros ($494 billion), will mean less money is available for promoting cleaner energy sources, he said.

"It seems that for some policymakers, assuring energy security trumps protecting the environment and confronting climate change."

Nicolazzi said that renewable energy policy was unlikely to improve amid the current energy crisis, though perhaps execution will. The European Union's initiative Fit for 55 agreed to last year called on EU member states to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent from 1990 levels by 2030, largely by shifting the generation of energy from traditional fossil fuel sources such as gas, petroleum and coal to renewables.

"The 'Fit for 55' program can't realistically be more ambitious than it is, but it can help create more incentives for governments to take stronger steps to meet those targets," Nicolazzi said.

It will be some time before changes in the continent's energy culture are seen, Froggatt said.

"European markets were accustomed to receiving gas supply from Russia for a long period, and it will take time for new plans and political support to lead to fruition. Getting through the challenges of this winter is just a start."

Xinhua