A perspective on infrastructure and energy security in the transition
The EU Commission's focus on gas for energy security is expensive as well as illogical. €11.4bn could be saved if the EU switches its plans from new-build gas infrastructure to renewable energy, a new report from consultants Artelys and Climact, backed by WWF and others, shows. Existing pan-European infrastructure can manage wide-ranging demand levels and potential supply disruptions, the report finds. Adding much more gas infrastructure is not only unnecessary for security of supply, it also creates a risk of expensive stranded assets. EU gas demand fell by 23% in the past five years - just 32% of existing liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals and 58% of pipeline capacity are in use today. And this drop in demand is set to continue if the EU is serious about meeting its energy efficiency and climate targets for 2030. True European energy security comes through renewables and energy efficiency.