The Telegraph: Britain's energy sector faces a crisis due to gas shortages and rising gas prices
Photo: Paul Hackett / Reuters
UK energy companies have reported a large-scale economic crisis due to a sharp increase in gas prices, writes The Telegraph. The current situation has put the country's industry on the brink of disaster.
A crisis
The heads of EDF, Good Energy and Energy UK have asked the country's government to develop and take the necessary measures to help resolve the situation with rising gas prices. Experts said that Britain's energy sector is facing a crisis due to fuel shortages. They blamed Russia for this, since it “does not increase supplies to Europe.”
This is a national crisis. Wholesale gas and electricity prices rise to unprecedented levels in the past three weeks
Nigel PocklingtonGood Energy Executive Director
The UK has previously accused Russia of gas problems. Back in October, the Daily Mail announced that the country was “at the mercy” of Russian President Vladimir Putin due to its focus on fuel imports. The newspaper noted that Britain is using its resources less and less to maintain energy security, increasing its vulnerability.
Forecasts
EDF spokesman Philippe Kommare said that the situation in the British energy sector is critical. According to his forecast, the current situation is only the beginning, and further deterioration will occur. Suppliers are trying to support consumers, but this is difficult because the problems facing the industry are too significant.
Investec analyst Martin Young said that against the background of the situation with gas, electricity tariffs will rise in price by 56 percent. Now the average household in the UK spends on this resource 1,277 pounds per year (124 thousand rubles), but in April 2022 the size of the payment could soar up to two thousand pounds or 195 thousand rubles.
Situation in Germany
On the eve of December 24, gas and electricity prices soared in Germany. They rose 46.6 and 18.6 percent, respectively. Experts believe that price increases will continue throughout 2022.
2187 dollars per thousand cubic meters – the historical maximum of gas prices in Europe
On December 22, the price of gas in Europe reached an all-time high, according to the London ICE stock exchange. The jump in prices was provoked by a decrease in the physical pumping of fuel through the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline due to Gazprom's decision not to book transit facilities.
Russia's position
At a press conference on December 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to find Gazprom guilty of the sharp rise in gas prices and the crisis in Europe. He said that in general Russia is increasing fuel supplies to the region. In addition, Gazprom is the only one in the world to make such a decision.
They lie all the time, they put a shadow on the fence. Gazprom supplies the entire volume requested by the counterparties under the existing contracts. And not only the whole volume, but increased supplies
Vladimir PutinPresident of Russia
Putin added that the authorities of European countries “nightmare” oil and gas companies, not providing them with sufficient financial support. He also attributed the cold spring to the causes of the energy crisis, under-pumping of gas to underground storage facilities and insignificant production of wind farms.
Nord Stream 2
The situation with the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is also reflected in the global political and economic arena. Thus, the Das Erste TV channel predicted a split in the ruling coalition over the project, since there is no single position on it.
On December 16, it became known that the certification of Nord Stream 2 was postponed for six months and will not be completed in the first half of 2022. Bundestag deputy from the party “Alternative for Germany” Steffen Kotrets said that delaying the launch of the project would lead to an increase in gas prices.
Earlier, the Federation Council explained the sharp jump in gas prices on the European ICE exchange. Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov linked the rise in price to the statement of the German Foreign Minister, co-chair of the Soyuz-90 / Green party, Annalena Berbock, who refused to approve the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
