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Energía

Alternatives to Russian gas in France

Posted on:3 November 2022

With the war, the use of Russian gas raises both logistical and ethical questions. It should be noted that in 2020, Russia was the second largest producer of natural gas in the world after the United States with 24.84 Ej (exajoules), but also the largest exporter.

> The use of Russian gas in France

> Why find alternatives to Russian gas in France?

> What are the alternatives to Russian gas?

> Alternatives to Russian gas in France, an impact on energy prices?

Use of Russian gas in France

Some countries are 100% dependent on it, such as Macedonia and Finland (94%). In France, while Russian gas represents 24% of gas consumption, a total cut-off of this source of supply would raise numerous logistical and ethical questions. This is why the search for alternatives has been a prevalent topic since the beginning of the war.

Indeed, if all European countries consuming Russian gas were to find a solution to consume differently, the demand could not be absorbed by the European producers alone, which are Ukraine, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Romania, with a maximum production of 4.1 Ej in Norway.

Imported gas from Russia to Europe in 2020.

Why find alternatives to Russian gas in France?

In this context, we better understand why the question of alternatives arises even as the price of gas continues to rise. Furthermore, while no French citizen has been deprived of gas per se today, the war drags on and has repercussions on many aspects of our daily lives. So, the government and the French energy giants are asking themselves:

– From a logistical point of view, it must be considered that the Ukrainian company Naftogaz allows Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, to transit 1/3 of its gas to Europe. At the moment, a more than precarious balance allows the two companies to continue to collaborate to preserve the economy of both countries, but under conditions that defy understanding and that may be compromised in the coming months. It should be noted that the revenues generated on each side of this collaboration help finance the war. This is where the ethical question arises, more than ever, for Europe, to break this dependence.

– From a political point of view, Moscow obviously plays on this situation since June 2022, with recorded decreases in Russian gas deliveries throughout Europe. The company Gazprom is accused by many countries of driving up gas prices by reducing its deliveries, citing maintenance operations.

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What are the alternatives to Russian gas in France?

Let’s go back to France. Among the possible alternatives, nothing is reinvented. France relies on its existing infrastructure. However, not all of them are universally accepted.

The energies already used

The government has indeed announced the possible reactivation of the Saint-Avold coal power plant, which had seen its doors close in March 2022. While, in the face of the crisis in Ukraine, this solution remains a last resort to meet the energy demand next winter, it remains highly controversial in a context where energy transition is more than urgent.

The considered alternatives

If our close European neighbors are not gas producers, some of them could however become key players in terms of gas transportation. This is the case of Spain, which receives significant quantities of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) in its ports from the United States, as well as from several African countries. The only downside, and it is significant, is that the existing infrastructure is not strong enough to meet French demand for gas transportation between countries. It would therefore be necessary to restart a project, that of building a major gas pipeline, the MidCat, currently unfinished for financial reasons.

Non-Gas Energies in France

On the renewable energy side, in France, by 2030, the goal is to reach 40%. Today, only 20% of these resources are being used. With this objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, one could consider that a large part of Russian dependency could be filled. However, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”: and a considerable acceleration would be needed to double this production in record time.

Did you know? Some countries are on the road to energy self-sufficiency thanks to renewable energies. For example, in April, it was California that managed to produce 100% of its electricity through renewables for… 15 minutes! This small feat was made possible thanks to solar power, which accounted for 2/3 of the supply, and wind power. The previously mentioned figures prove that there is still a long way to go.

Alternatives to Russian gas in France, an impact on energy prices?

Contrary to the popular belief that the war in Ukraine was the main cause of the increase in gas prices, the tariffs had already started to rise during the Covid pandemic, when all industries resumed operations, seeking to make up for lost revenue during those slow months.

However, yes, today natural gas accounts for 23% of energy consumed in Europe, including 10% from Russian gas. Therefore, all industries and major players are likely to turn, more or less at the same time, to alternatives, which could indeed result in a global increase in energy prices.

Dametis helps you find alternatives to Russian gas for your company

You want to anticipate a total or partial transition? The Dametis team supports you to help you maintain your productivity and implement efficient solutions without exponentially increasing your costs.

Anticipate, communicate with Dametis about your transition project!