EU, US strike LNG deal as Europe seeks to ditch Russian gas

(EurActiv, 25 Mar 2022) The United States will aim to supply 15 billion cubic metres (bcm) of additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) to EU markets this year to help Europe break away from Russian fossil fuel supplies, the two sides announced on Friday (25 March).

“We aim to reduce [our] dependency on Russian fossil fuels and to get rid of it,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was speaking alongside US President Joe Biden at a news conference in Brussels.

“This can only be achieved through, of course, first of all, investment in renewables, but also through additional gas supplies, including LNG deliveries,” she added.

Biden and von der Leyen announced the formation of an energy task force to help reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels and work together to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency.

In 2021, Europe imported 155 bcm of Russian gas, about 45% of its total supply, according to the European Commission. However, in the face of high gas prices and the war in Ukraine, Europe is working to break away from this reliance as soon as possible.

“Today we’ve agreed on a joint game plan for that goal while accelerating our progress towards a secure, clean energy future,” Biden said.

“The United States and the European Union are going to work together to take concrete measures to reduce dependence on natural gas – period. And to maximise the availability and use of renewable energy,” he added.

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EurActiv, 25 Mar 2022: EU, US strike LNG deal as Europe seeks to ditch Russian gas