The war in Ukraine continues to turn the world of energy upside down.

This Saturday, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck announced that Germany plans to be able to do without Russian coal by the fall and Russian oil almost by the end of the year.

“Every day, even every hour in fact, we say goodbye to Russian imports a little more,” the environmental minister told the

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

newspaper .

"If we achieve this, we will be independent of Russian coal by the fall and almost independent of Russian oil by the end of the year," he added.

More difficult measures for gas

On the other hand, with regard to gas, the abandonment of imports from Russia is proving more complicated because Germany does not have its own liquid gas import capacities, even if the country is currently working on it according to The Minister.

Currently, Germany imports a third of its oil and some 45% of its coal from Russia, according to German government statistics.

The share of Russian natural gas deliveries, on the other hand, amounted to just over 50% in 2020.

Germany's energy dependence on Russia has fallen from 36% of its total gas imports in 2014 to 55% currently.

The leaders of Europe's largest economy are therefore holding back vis-à-vis Western demands, led by the United States, to impose an embargo on Russian oil and gas, crucial for its own energy needs.

Still opposed to an embargo

Robert Habeck reiterated his opposition to an immediate embargo on Russian energy imports, as demanded by some Eastern European countries.

According to him, this would lead to supply difficulties for next winter, an economic crisis, high inflation as well as the loss of thousands of jobs and an explosion in energy prices.

“High energy prices are already a significant burden for households, especially for people with few means.

And also for the economy in general, because production is becoming more and more expensive,” added the German minister.

Economy

War in Ukraine: Will the conflict accelerate the energy transition in Europe?

World

War in Ukraine: Westerners a little less united on sanctions against Russian oil and gas

  • energy

  • Gas

  • Coal

  • Oil

  • Germany

  • War in Ukraine

  • World

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