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Europe's energy security: From Russian dependence to renewable reliance

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  • Ah-Voun, David
  • Chyong, Chi Kong
  • Li, Carmen

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of EU energy policies, namely the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP19) and REPowerEU (2022), on the European natural gas security of supply. Our analysis shows that the REPowerEU plan significantly cuts gas demand by 133 bcm compared to NECP19. This shift can make Europe independent from Russian gas by 2030. Executing REPowerEU requires faster, clean technology deployment. The EU needs to catch up in installations to reach REPowerEU targets, while NECP19 maintains high gas demand (423 bcm till 2030), potentially exacerbating gas import dependence. NECP19 not only raises gas demand but also brings substantial inter-annual variation (IAV) of demand. In cold years (twice in ten years), demand spikes by 39 bcm, and warm years (three in ten years) decrease it by 23 bcm. REPowerEU, while moderately increasing gas demand variation (around 7% versus NECP19), does not solve the demand variability issue. In extremely cold years (one in forty years), Europe may face a 46 bcm gap, around a quarter of the spot LNG market. Failing REPowerEU not only heightens gas import risk but also risks price spikes under varying climates and global market conditions. We offer policy recommendations to address potential price spikes related to IAV demand.

Suggested Citation

  • Ah-Voun, David & Chyong, Chi Kong & Li, Carmen, 2024. "Europe's energy security: From Russian dependence to renewable reliance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:184:y:2024:i:c:s030142152300441x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113856
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    EU energy policy; Inter-annual variability; Energy security; Natural gas demand; Cold winter; Russian gas;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices
    • Q47 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy Forecasting
    • Q37 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Issues in International Trade
    • C60 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - General
    • C40 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - General

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