The winter is coming: How European governments are preparing for the “energy blizzard”

Winter is coming… and it is expected to judge the next day of the world. Analysts from Europe, but also the USA, are of pivotal importance in the next period, as the Old Continent will test its strength at all levels. The war in Ukraine, the sanctions and the gas shut-off by Russia, the energy crisis-sufficiency and accuracy, inflation and the pressure on the daily life of Europeans, will test the endurance, the pocket and the unity of the EU , by Vladimir Putin to wait in the… corner, ready to take advantage of any split, or creak.

The question for Europeans is how to meet their energy needs without collapsing their economies and societies. According with Reuters, Germany was pushing Monday to secure liquefied natural gas contracts with Gulf producers. Other European states have announced measures to save energy. At the same time, Russian flows remain at very reduced levels.

Berlin said it was aiming to sign LNG contracts in the United Arab Emirates to supply terminals it builds, now that the vital Nord Stream 1 natural gas pipeline from Russia has been shut down, while Spain, France and others have announced emergency plans to try to avoid blackouts.

A sharp drop in supplies from Russia, which previously supplied around 40% of the European Union’s gas needs, has left governments scrambling to find alternative energy sources and sparked fears of possible blackouts and recession. yet.

Germany will also be able to count on natural gas flowing from France from around October 10, the head of French energy regulator CRE said, after President Emmanuel Macron announced the two would help each other on energy supply.

Plan for local blackouts in France

In France, CRE chief Emmanuelle Wargon said that if energy group EDF’s plan to repair corrosion-hit nuclear reactors suffers maintenance delays, then “emergency measures” for the winter are likely to include and local power outages. “But there will be no gas cuts for households. Never,” he told franceinfo television.

Spain’s austerity plan

In the Pyrenees, Spanish Industry Minister Reyes Maroto said requiring energy-intensive companies to shut down during peak consumption is an option this winter, if required.

The companies will be financially compensated, he told Spanish news agency Europa Press, adding that there was no need to impose such measures now.

Finland: Prepare for blackouts

And Finns were warned by national grid operator Fingrid that they should be prepared for blackouts.
Mirroring the unrest across the continent, Finnish electricity retailer Karhu Voima Oy said it has filed for bankruptcy amid soaring electricity prices.

Portugal: Problem from one day to the next

In Portugal, the government has been blunt about its concerns. “From one day to the next, we could have a problem, such as not being supplied with the volume of gas that was planned,” Environment and Energy Minister Duarte Cordeiro said, adding that Portugal was working to diversify its supplies to boost energy security. “Portugal is preparing, like all of Europe, for a difficult winter,” he said, urging the European Commission to press ahead with plans for a common platform to buy gas from the EU and set import prices.

Netherlands: Ceiling on the price of electricity and natural gas

The Dutch government is to impose a ceiling on the price of electricity and natural gas contracts from New Year 2023 in order to shield consumers against rising energy prices, Dutch broadcaster NOS reported today.

Energy prices will be capped at January 2022 levels for the average amount of gas and electricity consumed by households, NOS reported, citing government sources.

The Dutch government is expected to present its plan tomorrow Tuesday.

In addition to the price cap, energy companies will commit to no supply cuts for the next six months and to offer long-term fixed-cost contracts again.

The measures will be added to 16 billion euros of spending plans next year in a bid to support consumers who have to reach deep into their pockets to pay for energy and food. The government plans are due to be unveiled on Tuesday alongside the 2023 budget.

The spending, which includes a 10% increase in the minimum wage and higher (income-tested) subsidies for health care and rent, will be covered mainly by tax increases targeting businesses and wealthy Dutch people.

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