Faster Solar, Wind Deployment In IEA's 10 point plan for Reducing EU Dependence on Russia

• The International Energy Agency (IEA), in a 10 point plan for Europe to reduce its dependence on Russian energy products, has actually made a strong pitch for more renewables, energy performance, and branching out of distributors, for Europe to reduce its dependence on Russia.

The high energy dependence on Russia has stymied European initiatives to counter the Russian intrusion of Ukraine with permissions, with the heavy training left to the US, which just announced a restriction on Russian oil and also gas imports as well.

The IEA states that the European Union could reduce its imports of Russian natural gas by greater than one-third within a year with a mix of actions that would certainly be consistent with the European Green Deal and assistance energy protection and also affordability.

In 2021, the European Union imported 155 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia, representing around 45% of EU gas imports and also close to 40% of its overall gas intake. Development in the direction of Europe's internet zero aspirations will certainly bring down its use and also imports of gas gradually, but today's crisis elevates the particular inquiry concerning imports from Russia as well as what extra can be done in the prompt future to bring them down.

The 10 Points from IEA:

1. Do not sign any type of brand-new gas supply contracts with Russia. [Impact: Enables higher diversification of supply this year and beyond]
2. Replace Russian materials with gas from different resources [Impact: Increases non-Russian gas supply by around 30 billion cubic metres within a year]
3. Introduce minimum gas storage responsibilities [Impact: Enhances durability of the gas system by following winter]
4. Accelerate the deployment of brand-new wind and also solar projects [Impact: Reduces gas use by 6 billion cubic metres within a year]
5. Maximise power generation from bioenergy and nuclear [Impact: Reduces gas use by 13 billion cubic metres within a year]
6. Enact short-term tax obligation procedures on windfall profits to shelter vulnerable electricity consumers from high costs [Impact: Cuts energy bills even when gas prices continue to be high]
7. Speed up the replacement of gas central heating boilers with heatpump [Impact: Reduces gas use by an added 2 billion cubic metres within a year]
8. Accelerate energy effectiveness renovations in buildings and also sector [Impact: Reduces gas usage by near to 2 billion cubic metres within a year]
9. Encourage a temporary thermostat reduction of 1 ° C by consumers [Impact: Reduces gas usage by some 10 billion cubic metres within a year]
10. Step up initiatives to branch out as well as decarbonise sources of power system flexibility [Impact: Loosens up the solid links between gas supply and Europe's power protection]

Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, claimed: "Reducing our dependence on Russian gas is a critical crucial for the European Union. Over the last few years, we have currently significantly varied our supply, constructing LNG terminals and brand-new interconnectors. Yet Russia's assault on Ukraine is a watershed minute. Following week, the Commission will recommend a path for Europe to become independent from Russian gas immediately. The IEA's evaluation describes a variety of concrete actions we can take towards that goal. It is a really prompt and valuable payment to our work."