EU’s new energy chief aims to sever all Russian fuel ties

Dan Jørgensen, the EU’s new energy chief, has made it his “main priority” to devise a plan that will fully eliminate Europe’s energy reliance on Russia.

In his first interview since taking office, Jørgensen expressed concern over the EU’s setbacks in reducing Russian fuel imports, particularly pointing to rising purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). He stressed the need for a renewed effort to get the EU’s energy strategy back on track, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

“To have been able to bring down our dependency to such an extent that we have is actually quite an accomplishment,” Jørgensen said. However, he noted, “it’s obvious to everybody that something new needs to happen because … now it's beginning to go in the wrong direction.” He plans to roll out a “tangible roadmap” within his first 100 days, which will focus on gas, oil, and nuclear energy.

The EU has already made significant progress in reducing its energy ties with Russia, banning seaborne coal and oil exports while cutting pipeline gas imports by two-thirds. However, challenges remain, as the EU is expected to import 10 per cent more LNG from Russia in 2024 than in 2023.

Efforts to eliminate Russian energy ties by 2027 could face opposition from countries like Hungary and Slovakia, which are still heavily reliant on Moscow. Jørgensen, drawing on his experience as Denmark’s climate minister, emphasized the importance of collaboration with EU colleagues, especially in light of differing national circumstances.

Jørgensen’s roadmap will be crucial as the EU anticipates the end of a long-term gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine, which will likely expire soon. “We are preparing for the situation that it will finish,” Jørgensen said, highlighting the urgency of his plan.

The EU’s energy strategy will also be influenced by its relationship with the United States, which has become the EU’s second-largest gas supplier. “We need to be mindful that we could not have done the decrease in dependency from Russia without energy from … the US,” Jørgensen said. “They really have been our friends and I hope, of course, that we will continue to be friends.”

By Vafa Guliyeva