European Parliament calls for more efficient use of LNG infrastructure

In a vote on Tuesday, members of the European Parliament urged the European Union to deploy a strategy on liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will secure the energy supply.

The Parliament called for EU commission to aim to reduce the union’s dependency on gas in the long term by increasing the efficiency of its use while gradually phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, a statement by the European Parliament reads.

MEPs called the European Union to use ensure the most efficient use of existing infrastructure, and analyze LNG supply alternatives and options before deciding on building new LNG infrastructure.

Hungarian MEP, Ándras Gyürk, said, “First, we need supply diversification, to show solidarity with countries which are almost one hundred percent dependent on a single supplier. Next, completing the missing gas infrastructure is essential for maximizing the use of the existing LNG terminals and gas storage facilities, and last but not least, without the much-needed harmonization of rules, procedures, and tariff structures, the European infrastructure will only be an empty vessel, unable to serve its purpose.”

In the report, MEPs stressed the role of LNG and gas storage in reducing dependence on Russian gas.

It was added that doubling the capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline could have counterproductive effects on energy security and the diversification of supply sources.

If built, the Nord Stream 2 would trigger an assessment of LNG terminals’ accessibility and a detailed assessment of the North-South Gas Corridor, to be able to compensate for shutting down the supply lines to Central and Eastern Europe.

The parliament has also noted that the EU’s trade policy trade policy should enhance the Union’s and member states’ energy diversification and reduce their dependency on imported energy from too few suppliers.