Europe risks facing a gas shortage in the winter of 2023-2024, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on Thursday, calling on governments to take immediate action to reduce the impact of this crisis. According to the report of the Paris-based entity, the region could face a deficit of 30,000 million cubic meters of gas, necessary to “supply its economy and replenish storage sites during the summer of 2023, which endangers its preparation for the winter of 2023″. -24”.
But the warning does not stop there. The IEA warns that problems could be anticipated if Russia cuts off supplies altogether and China increases imports of liquefied natural gas, which Europe relies on to replace Russian imports.
Moscow drastically reduced the shipment of gas to Europe in retaliation against the Western sanctions for the war in Ukraine, but the continent managed to supply the storage points before winter, with Russia also supplying 60 thousand million cubic meters of gas to Europe this year. However, the IEA notes that Moscow is “highly unlikely” to deliver the same amount in 2023, risking a complete halt to shipments.
According to the agency, Europe “needs to take action immediately” to avoid the risk of shortages next year.
Source: TSF
