E.U. Releases Plan to Cut Russian Gas Imports by Two-Thirds and Increase Renewables

E.U. Releases Plan to Cut Russian Gas Imports by Two-Thirds and Increase Renewables

The European Union laid out plans to end its reliance on Russian gas in the next few years, in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine that’s roiled energy markets and prompted Moscow to threaten to cut supplies.



The European Commission on Tuesday outlined its strategy to cut import needs from Russia by two-thirds this year. Using measures such as tapping new supplies and boosting energy efficiency, the bloc aims to replace flows from its biggest supplier well before 2030—sooner than previous projections, according to a document that will now be discussed by national governments.











It said the plan may be extended to phasing out reliance on Russian oil and coal.



The E.U. is stepping up efforts to find alternatives following decades of reliance on Russian gas that has prompted warnings from some countries about Moscow using flows to boost its political leverage. Worries about supplies being halted have sent European prices surging to a record. Still, it will be a challenge for the region to replace most of the volume in the short term.



For the plan to become reality, it will need action from member states, many of whom were already uncomfortable