Will the UK turn off the EU's gas tap?

government appeased

Created: 04/07/2022 17:27

By: Moritz Serif

In contrast to Germany, Great Britain is hardly dependent on Russian gas (symbol image).

© Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture alliance/dpa

According to EU media reports, Great Britain could turn off the gas tap.

A government spokeswoman speaks up and tries to smooth things over.

London – The gas crisis threatens a new blow to the neck: Great Britain could stop deliveries to the EU.

and

, among others

, reported on this.

According to this, the pipelines to the Netherlands and Belgium could be shut down first.

The two subsea pipelines linking the UK with Belgium and the Netherlands have been at maximum capacity since March due to the island's low storage capacity.

That is why excess supplies come to Europe in the summer and the UK gets gas from the EU again in the winter months.

Will the UK cut off the EU's gas?

President has a clear opinion

Bart Jan Hoevers, President of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas, has a clear opinion on this.

“I would definitely recommend that they [the UK] reconsider cutting the connection.

Because while it's beneficial for the continent in the summer, it's also beneficial for the UK in the winter," he said.

The UK government is trying to smooth things over.

"Our priority is to continue working with our EU partners and allies to end dependence on Russian oil and gas," a government spokeswoman said.

"All countries have such [emergency] plans in place and there is nothing to indicate that these emergency procedures are needed now," she added.

Great Britain is hardly dependent on Russian gas

Unlike other countries, Great Britain is hardly dependent on Russian gas.

In 2021, the share of imports from Russia was less than four percent.

A big difference to Germany is that in 2020 53 percent of all natural gas came from Russia.

(mse)