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ARCHIVED - Spain and EU warn of global gas shortage this winter
Spain is in a better position than most countries but the gas situation is “worrying”
The Spanish government has been assuring the public for months that a gas shortage isn’t on the cards, since the country is far less dependent than other nations on Russia for its supply. The tables have turned dramatically this week, however, when the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, agreed that this winter there may not be enough gas to go around, and Spain may have to choose between businesses and homes to ensure supply.
Ms Ribera described the energy situation as “worrying,” a sentiment that has been echoed across Europe: Germany has raised its alert level and three of the main companies in France have asked citizens to minimise their gas consumption from now on.
In recent days, the EU Energy Commissioner predicted that “things are likely to be more difficult in the coming months,” adding that the worst case scenario would be Russia completely cutting off its gas supply, a strategic move that seems all too possible.
Later this month, the European Commission will present Member States with a plan for energy saving measures and has already advised that nations must guarantee a natural gas store of 90% by the end of October “to spend the winter with peace of mind.”
On this score, Spain is doing well, as the underground warehouses are at 72% and the cache of liquefied natural gas currently stands at around 80%, figures “hugely positive compared to France (57%), Italy (55%) and Germany (42%),” according to the minister.
The government has been heavily criticised for its lack of foresight, since many parties have been warning the president to increase gas stores since storm Filomena hit the country back in January 2021. Even if enough energy is available to see us through the winter, the opposition has argued, it is likely to come at a seriously inflated cost.
A potential gas shortage isn’t the only concern, however, and the administration has been slammed over a number of measures, such as the gas price cap and the reduction of VAT on electricity, which have failed spectacularly in bringing energy prices down.
President Sanchez has also extended the 20-cent per litre fuel bonus until December but this too has been ineffective, with petrol and diesel prices climbing to another all-time high this week.
Image: Pixaby
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