Renewables Could Slash EU Gas Demand by a Quarter by 2030
A new study by the think-tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that widespread adoption of heat pumps, solar power, and wind energy could reduce EU gas demand by a quarter by 2030. This reduction in gas use would be twice as large as the LNG volumes Qatar could potentially supply to Europe by then.
According to Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, lead energy analyst for Europe at IEEFA, relying on uncertain and expensive deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from countries like Qatar is not a secure plan for the EU. LNG supplies to Europe from Qatar and other Gulf producers rely on long-term bilateral contracts that carry significant risks.
The rapid growth of renewables has already led to a 20% decline in gas consumption between 2021 and 2024, with clean energy technologies like solar panels and wind turbines being key drivers of this change. Makarewicz notes that 'clean energy technologies are already solving this problem. Every heat pump, solar panel, and wind turbine installed shields Europe from the next crisis.'