The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) sees potential problems for replenishing gas storage facilities in Europe for the winter months next year. “Our estimates tell us that inventory levels will fall from 90 percent to 25 to 20 percent in February 2023,” says Fatih Birol. The question is how Europe wants to fill the stands again for 80 to 90 percent in 2023.
According to the Turkish economist, the fact that energy supplies continued to come from Moscow and that China’s economic development meant that it imported less liquefied gas than expected, helped to fill the storage tanks this year. In the coming year, the Chinese economy could regain strength and Beijing could demand more gas, pushing European prices up, IEA chief Birol explained in an interview with Italian newspaper “La Repubblica” on Tuesday.
According to Birol, he does not expect major disruptions or power outages for Europe’s energy supply before the winter, as the storage facilities are about 90 percent full. This should last until February or March, barring a “significant supply disruption”. However, should a serious disruption occur, “energy solidarity” between European countries is essential, Birol warned.
Source: Krone
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