EU energy ministers are ready to connect Ukraine to the European energy network. According to the Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, Ukraine, which is under attack, must be supported.
BRUSSELS EU energy ministers have discussed the consequences of Russia’s attack at an emergency meeting in Brussels. Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilän According to (Central), Ukraine’s need for assistance is being met.
– There was full readiness for this among the countries.
According to Lintilä, Ukraine has provided a list of energy-related issues for which EU assistance is requested.
According to Lintilä, the ministerial meeting was also more generally marked by the idea that Ukraine, which is under attack, must be supported.
– I do not remember when the EU would have been so united.
Ukraine to the European electricity grid
Ministers also discussed the connection of Ukraine to the European electricity grid. According to Lintilä, this is also fully supported, although the connection involves technical challenges, as Ukraine is part of the synchronized electricity grid of the former Soviet Union.
– The general message was that Ukraine will get involved.
The meeting also discussed the national energy situation in the member states. According to Lintilä, the current situation is not critical from Finland’s point of view. Unlike many European countries, Finland’s dependence on natural gas is low.
– On the other hand, it may have made it difficult to understand how important gas is as an energy source.
Replacement oil can be found
With regard to oil, Lintilä estimates that Finland has the opportunity to obtain substitute oil from the world market, even if imports from Russia cease.
– It will not be such a critical issue for us. But there is, of course, a rise in the price of oil.
Energy issues will also be discussed tomorrow at the Ministerial Conference of the International Energy Agency. Among other things, a debate is expected on whether oil stocks should be opened if the situation in Ukraine worsens.
According to Lintilä, warehouses should not be opened for price policy reasons.
Peat production volumes to be considered
Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel imports is at the center of the debate on the consequences of Russia’s attack.
According to Lintilä, peat production volumes must also be considered from the perspective of security of supply.
He has asked the Security of Supply Center for more detailed calculations regarding peat.
– We are currently assessing the readiness to lift (peat) the following and the following summer.