Europe did without Russian gas and saved $15 billion: how did it happen?

Experts from the analytical company Ember, which makes forecasts for the EU and the world energy market, state in their latest report that the European countries that left gas and coal from Russia due to the attack on Ukraine did not just withdraw. damaged, but managed to increase its renewable energy reserves with savings of approximately $15 billion.

One of the main drivers was the growth of wind and solar power, on which EU states are increasingly placing their hopes for energy independence from fossil hydrocarbons from the aggressor country.

According to analysts, during the past year since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, wind and solar power in the EU energy supply system has increased by 50 TWh, which today corresponds to 23% of all other methods of generating electricity.

Despite rising energy prices and drought, last year the European Union managed to avoid a global crisis precisely thanks to the replacement of supplies from Russia with environmentally friendly methods. The annual increase in wind and solar power alone has reduced the amount of gas required for electricity generation by 90 TWh.

As Ember Senior Analyst Sarah Brown puts it: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shocked Europe. Everyone understood how dependent the EU was on the aggressor for energy supply issues. Last year, it eliminated that dependency by accelerating the transition to a cleaner country. “It’s been a struggle to remove it. and a safer energy system. In 2023, Europe will see a massive drop in fossil fuel prices.”

Previously Focus He wrote that in 2023 solar panels will be bought 2 times more often: Analysts listed their reasons.