New EC Commissioner for Energy to speed up the refusal from Russian gas

The European Union should accelerate the process of phasing out the use of Russian fossil fuels, which is scheduled for 2027. Currently, the share of Russian gas is 18%.

This was stated by the candidate for EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen, RBC-Ukraine reports citing Reuters.

“In the first 100 days, I will present a plan to accelerate the end of our dependence on Russian gas by 2027,” he said during a hearing in the European Parliament.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has instructed Jorgensen to cut energy prices to try to restore Europe's industrial competitiveness, decarbonize the economy and end the remaining energy imports from Russia to the EU.

He is expected to be confirmed in his new position in the coming weeks.

“We really have a problem, our industry is suffering. They pay two to three times more for energy than in the US and China... ordinary people are having a hard time paying their bills,” Jorgensen said, adding that this is largely due to Russia's war against Ukraine.

He said that the EU needs to make more use of renewable energy sources, which will require expanding networks, accelerating digitalization and introducing new storage technologies, and speeding up the permitting process.

Jorgensen also noted that nuclear power is crucial to promote decarbonization.

Author - Olena Madiak, 06/11/2024