Photo: Gennady Cherkasov
Commissioner for Energy Security of the Czech Republic Václav Bartushka commented on the record rise in gas prices in Europe before the winter heating season, which have already risen by more than 250% and is already approaching $ 1,200 per thousand cubic meters. He urged them not to stand too much in ceremonies with gas suppliers – Russians, Norwegians, Algerians – and take a tough consumer stance.
According to Bartushka, there are so few gas reserves in European storage facilities, because Russia, as well as other supplier countries, have realized that Europe is serious about getting rid of its dependence on oil and gas.
“That's why they decided to launch a counteroffensive, they wanted to let us know that the transition to new green energy will be more difficult and expensive than we expected,” the edition of irozhlas.cz quotes him. He also noted that it was not possible to stock up on gas in advance, as last year's drop in gas demand due to the coronavirus pandemic made it difficult for producers to maintain production. And now the Russians and other suppliers are playing a “very hard game” and note that the Czech Republic is not such a bad commodity compared to its neighbors in the Czech Republic.
At the same time, he suggested that if frost breaks out, gas will run out in Europe and the Czech Republic and prices will creep up.
Bartushka called everything that was happening a “gas war” and insisted on strict guarding of the Czech market and forcing suppliers to play according to EU rules, not their own.
“In general, we have to be tougher. Europe, which I spent too long with my suppliers, was too soft with them.” That needs to be stopped, “he said.