Spain ready to drop Russian gas completely in favor of US supply
Photo: Spain will completely abandon Russian gas (Getty Images)
Spanish gas company Enagas is ready to stop using Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2027. The volumes will be replaced with gas from the US, according to the company's CEO Arturo Gonzalo.
The European Union is discussing a plan to gradually phase out imports of Russian oil and gas by January 2028, as well as a possible ban on Russian LNG from 2027.
These measures are aimed at reducing the Kremlin's revenues, which are used to finance the war against Ukraine.
Europe may accelerate energy sanctions
According to Gonzalo, Enagas' infrastructure will make it possible to abandon Russian gas as early as 2027. "And I understand that it makes sense that Europe has to raise the bar of ambition of sanctions against Russia," he said.
The head of the company stressed that Spain is "technically prepared to operate without Russian gas." He noted that gas operators already use a certification system to track the origin of LNG supplies.
Control of gas origin
Enagas requires delivery companies to indicate the origin of cargoes unloaded in Spain. This data is checked against accompanying documents and undergoes customs inspections.
According to the draft EU document, importers will be required to provide proof of the country of origin of the gas before it arrives in Europe. National authorities will be able to request additional information on supply contracts.
Exceptions and alternatives
The new requirements will not apply to countries that supplied more than 5 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU last year. Thus, American LNG will be exempt.
"Once the LNG from Russia stops coming, a very good part of that is going to be replaced by US LNG," Gonzalo added. He stressed that the liquefied gas market is flexible enough to compensate for the losses.
EU preparing decision to completely abandon Russian fuel
EU countries plan to approve a phased abandonment of Russian oil and gas imports as early as next week. After that, the document will be discussed with the European Parliament.
Separate negotiations are underway on sanctions against Russian LNG. The goal remains to reduce Europe's energy dependence on Russia and deprive the Kremlin of financial resources to wage war.
According to Greenpeace, France, Belgium, and Spain spent more on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) than on financial aid to Ukraine.
