The import of Russian LNG to the Union increased. We will pay for billions of Russia, but there is a way to more independence

Europe managed to reduce the import of liquefied LNG gas last year. Although its main source is the United States, in 2024 imports from Russia increased. Buying this fuel abroad costs us billions, but the data for recent years show that thanks to renewable energy and improving efficiency, we are able to increase our independence.

The data on LNG imports last year was published by the American Think Tank Ieefa (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis). According to them, the import of liquefied gas to Europe (EU plus Türkiye, Norway, Great Britain) fell by 19 percent. Year on year, to the lowest level in 11 years.

The United States (46 percent of import) remain the main source of LNG. However, compared to the previous year, in 2024 Europe bought almost 20 percent. More LNG from Russia. In 2023, it accounted for about 12 percent. all imports, and last year – 16 percent IEEFA estimates that EU countries spent EUR 6.3 billion on Russian LNG in the period from January to November 2024.

Between 2021 and 2024, gas demand in Europe fell by 20 percent. The report points out that the reduction of demand and imports of LNG succeeded, among others by improving efficiency and increasing the amount of renewable energy sources. Both are to be a recipe to further reduce gas demand in the long run. This would both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase our energy independence. In 2024, the production of energy from renewable sources once again grew, and the share of fossil fuels decreased.

IEEFA estimates that from January to November 2024 EU countries spent EUR 35.9 billion on LNG import.

LNG (for now) without an embargo

The consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the gradual cutting of Europe from buying fossil fuels from Russia. Russian gas flowed primarily with pipelines, and replacing it with fuel, e.g. from the USA or the Middle East, required a different infrastructure – adapted to the import of liquefied gas LNG.

The participation of Russian pipeline gas in imports to the EU fell from over 40 percent. in 2021 to about 8 percent In 2023, and from January 1, 2025, fuel transport through Ukraine ended.

However, Russian LNG gas still goes to some European ports. According to the Polish Institute of International Affairs, the European Commission has not yet provided for the ban on the Russian imports of LNG – despite the fact that its import has increased. The embargo was not in the latest, 16th package of sanctions to be adopted next week. Scriptures notes that the embargo on LNG from Russia would be part of a broader EU policy regarding energy, and deprived Russia of income that finance, among others, a war with Ukraine. However, some EU countries are to oppose the ban on the sake of concerns about gas reserves and the political situation (elections in Germany).

This does not mean that the Russian LNG sector has no restrictions. “From February, American sanctions for the sector and its partners will practically force Russia to suspend LNG exports from the Baltic terminals, from where gas goes to the EU mostly (about 2 million tonnes)” – we read in the analysis of letters.

– We are approaching the third anniversary of the outbreak of the terrible war of Russia against Ukraine. It is shocking that at this time the import of Russian LNG to the Union increased. The heads of states and governments must end with hypocrisy. If they promise to support Ukraine, they cannot send their money to Russia at the same time, which uses it to fill their war chest and war crimes against innocent people

– commented Svetlana Romanko, founder of the Ukrainian NGOs of the Razom at Stand.

Who buys Russian gas?

Poland buys LNG almost entirely from the USA (56 percent) and runny nose (38 percent). Russian liquefied gas goes to Europe primarily through ports in France, Spain, Belgium and Sweden.

This does not mean, however, that only these countries use gas from Russia. For example, Germans do not buy Russian LNG directly – they forbade to import it through their own ports – but … it goes to them through France and other countries. Analysis of the NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe showed that the German company SEFE controlled by the German company bought a large amount of Russian gas from other EU countries.

The organization calculates that Russian gas was responsible for between 3 and 9.2 percent. total gas imports to Germany. Such a large distribution is due to a lack of transparency on the internal gas market, the organization writes. At the same time, he calls for open information about who exactly buys Russian gas and where he ultimately gets.

– The state -owned company SEFE stays on long -term contracts with the Russian Novatek supplier and was active as a key buyer of LNG in 2024 – emphasized the director of Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Sascha Müller -Kraenner. She called on the German government to “urgently change the course” and bring the European embargo to LNG.

Poland is addicted to gas import

According to IEEF’s estimates, Europe’s demand for gas will fall by 2.5 percent in 2025, although more gas will go in the form of LNG – an increase of 17 % is forecast. for liquefied gas. However, these are only short -term fluctuations, because according to forecasts by 2030 the demand for LNG will fall.

Although LNG imports fell last year, and the gas demand remained at the same level as in 2023, Europe continues to expand the gas infrastructure. Poland also focuses on gas – both in terms of import and production of electricity and heat.

– Lower demand meant that half of the LNG import terminals in the EU had an indicator of below 40 percent, including some of the new installations. The doubling of the number of new LNG terminals without taking into account demand trends increases the risk of overinvesting and incomplete use of infrastructure as the energy transformation accelerates – assessed Ana Maria Jaller -Makarewicz, an analyst of European energy in IEEFA.

Poland assumes that the role of gas in our energy and heating will grow, and with this – the import of this fuel. This, however, can be dangerous, because even by buying LNG from various sources, we are exposed to price fluctuations and the effects of conflicts (especially with such a high import of sea). – The solution should be to leave fossil fuels in general and quick energy transformation – argues Diana Maciąga from the organization Polska Green Network.

– Opponents of decarbonization actually put us from choosing: bloody gas from dictators or an expensive and equally morally dirty gas from autocrats who use our addiction to play Europe on a geopolitical board

she said. In her opinion, “every cubic meter of gas that we do not need, increases the safety, resistance and competitiveness of the European Union as a whole and every Member State separately.” – It is also the only guarantee that European money will not go to the Kremlin regime, which sends more and more Russian LNG to our market by the back door – she added.