European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the EU summit in Brussels. File photoMOSCOW, June 21 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in an interview with the Financial Times, called on EU countries not to return to «dirty» energy sources after decisions to reduce the use of fossil fuels due to the energy crisis amid anti-Russian sanctions. Germany and Austria previously announced the return to operation of coal-fired thermal power plants, whose work has stopped. The Netherlands decided to remove restrictions on the operation of such power plants for the period from 2022 to 2024 in order to reduce the risk of a shortage of blue fuel.
"We need to make sure we're using this crisis to move forward, not back down to dirty fossil fuels. This is a subtle line, and it is still unclear whether we will turn in the right direction", — said von der Leyen.
She also called on states to continue to focus on «large-scale investments in renewable energy sources.» «We know that this is not only good for our climate, but also good for our energy security and independence,» the head of the EC believes. The head of the European Commission stressed that the EU is taking «emergency steps» to prevent the possible consequences of a decrease in supplies from Russia, including energy saving measures and «prioritization» in the field of gas supply to enterprises. «/>»Every cubic meter of gas counts»: the Netherlands urged to save energyIt is reported that until February 24, about 40 percent of the total gas reserves of the block countries received from Russia. In addition, the business publication notes that gas prices in the European Union have risen at least six times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Financial Times, Italy and some other countries may follow Germany and Austria to restart coal-fired power plants. Previously Gazprom said that due to restrictions at the Portovaya compressor station, it will be able to supply gas through the Nord Stream in the amount of up to 100 million cubic meters per day, against the planned 167 million. The reason was the delay in the work of Siemens, which was unable to return the gas pumping units from repair in time. The German concern confirmed this information: the turbine was repaired «for technical reasons» at the Siemens Energy plant in Montreal and cannot be returned due to Canada's sanctions against Russia. Germany, like other Western countries, is faced with rising energy prices and a surge in inflation due to the imposition of sanctions against Russia after the start of the military operation in Ukraine. At the same time, Berlin, according to its leading politicians, is trying to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, has repeatedly noted that Moscow has never used gas supplies to punish anyone, but sells fuel exclusively to interests, to increase the well-being of Russians, and on a commercial basis.