The head of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy (OAOEV) Michael Harms assessed Russia’s involvement in the rise in gas prices in Europe. About this he told RBC.
According to Kharms, statements that Gazprom and Moscow have allegedly provoked high gas prices in European countries so that the European Commission hastened the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline do not correspond to reality. He stressed that there are global trends, including the growth of energy consumption. “In addition, there was a relatively cold winter, which emptied gas storage facilities in both Europe and Russia,” added the head of the Eastern Committee of the German Economy.
The head of the Bundestag Committee on Economy and Energy Klaus Ernst also said that Gazprom’s actions had nothing to do with high gas prices in European countries. At the same time, he stressed that the early launch of Nord Stream 2 will be able to stabilize prices on the energy market. In addition, he added that the German government officially rejects claims that Russia does not comply with contracts for gas supplies to Europe.
On October 14, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell linked the rise in gas prices to Russia’s inaction and its unwillingness to introduce additional supplies. According to the diplomat, Moscow is fulfilling all of its contractual obligations for gas supplies, “but it is not supplying additional gas to the European system, as it could, which contributes to the rise in prices.”
At the same time, Russia said that Europe is acting “at random” in the formation of gas reserves. According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Europeans are reaping the fruits of their unbalanced policy of creating an energy balance. “It is necessary to have the necessary reserves for the passage of the autumn-winter period, reserves must be formed to take into account the lowest temperatures, the longest periods of passage,” Novak said.
He linked the cause of the current gas crisis to the poor planning of the Europeans. The trailing price in the absence of a supply generates a high price, Novak explained. “There is only hope for an invisible hand to the market, which will ensure gas supplies,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. He added that the EU countries have not yet applied with a request to increase the export of Russian gas.
Against the background of reports of a gas crisis in Europe, it became known that Europe has unsealed its underground gas storage facilities (UGS). According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data, as of October 13, European consumers entered the net withdrawal period: for the first time since April, gas injection into EU UGS facilities was significantly lower than the volumes withdrawn over the last 24 hours. At the same time, the fence began when the storage facilities were only 78 percent full. This indicator became the worst over the past five years.
European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson assures that Europe has enough gas reserves for the winter. She noted that the current stocks are “limited, but sufficient to cover the needs of Europeans.” At the same time, the politician called on the European Union (EU) to be vigilant. “If an exceptionally cold winter coincides with unexpected supply disruptions, additional volumes of gas will be required,” the European Commissioner said.