Enel head raises doubts about Europe's ability to end energy ties with Russia
The head of Italian energy company Enel has raised doubts about Europe's ability to cut energy ties with Russia, noting that the continent was only able to stock up on enough gas prior to this winter using Russian supply that is no longer available.
"We must not forget that Europe was only able to fill its storage with the help of Russian gas," Enel CEO Francesco Starace said in an interview with Germany's Handelblatt newspaper on February 27. "It was becoming less and less, but the gas was still coming from Russia. This year there is no more."
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Europe will "soon find out" whether it can go without Russian gas, he said, noting that April through June would be the key period for determining how well Europe can prepare for next winter.
Russian gas supply to Europe is currently at only 15-20% of the pre-war level. With Nord Stream 1 rendered inoperable by sabotage, the Yamal-Europe pipeline unable to send gas westwards because of sanctions, and capacity via Ukraine constrained, there is limited upside for Russian deliveries to increase in the near future.