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UK contemplates a cutting of the gas interconnections between the British country and the European Union within the framework of the emergency plan designed to address a worsening of the energy crisis, according to the newspaper Financial Times.
In this way, the British plan to close the transit pipes that connect with Netherlands and Belgium would add to the risk of cuts in gas exports from Russia to European countries, which could undermine international energy cooperation.
According to the newspaper of reference in the City, the cut of the so-called interconnection gas pipelines would be one of the first measures of the emergency plan for gas in the United Kingdom, which could be activated by National Grid if in the coming months there were problems with supplies.
This plan, which will be tested in septembercontemplates four phases in the event of a serious shortage of supplies that would cause the loss of pressure in the gas system, including the cutting of the interconnections, as well as other emergency measures, such as interrupting the supply to large industrial users and claiming households to reduce consumption.
European gas companies have called on the UK to work with the EU and have warned that closing interconnectors could backfire if there is a prolonged shortage, as the British country imports large volumes of gas from Europe mainland during winter.
“Definitely, I would recommend that (UK) reconsider stopping interconnection (in the event of a crisis),” said Bart Jan Hoevers, president of the European Network of Gas Transmission System Operators. “While it is beneficial for the continent in the summer, it is also beneficial for the UK in the winter,” he added.
The country led by Boris Johnson has a small gas storage capacityso that excess supply is sent to the continent when demand is low during the summer months, while in especially cold winters the country has come to cover up to a quarter of its gas needs through supplies received from Europe through interconnections, according to analysts consulted by the newspaper.
Germany and the Netherlands activated their own emergency plans this monthrestarting coal plants and urging industry to reduce gas use, after Russia cut gas exports.
Brussels appeals to the solidarity of the United Kingdom
The European Commission is cautious for the moment in its reaction while waiting to “analyze” the consequences of a decision that, according to the vice president of the Community Executive responsible for relations with London, Maros Sefcovic, Brussels has learned from what has been published in the press.
In any case, Sefcovic has reminded the United Kingdom that it will be the “eternal neighbor” of the European Union and has valued the “advantages” of European cooperation on key issues such as energy or food security, for which he has trusted that the Johnson Government agrees on the convenience of “focusing” on how to face global challenges as strategic partners.
In this context, the community vice-president has appealed to “mutual support” and stressed how “the word solidarity has become so important” on the European continent in the current geopolitical context, for which he has trusted that these conditions “guide the reflection” of British and Europeans on the consequences for summer and winter .
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