In an analysis published by the think tank Ember on Tuesday, 5 March, researchers Paweł Czyżak and Nolan Theisen indicate that in the days leading up to the next Three Seas Initiative Summit on 11 April, participating countries are planning to expand gas import infrastructure beyond what is needed to replace Russian gas.
This initiative brings together several Member States from Central and Eastern Europe as well as Ukraine and Moldova as partner participants.
The authors indicate, “Historically, the initiative has resulted in investments in fossil fuel infrastructure, particularly gas. With the energy landscape rapidly transforming beyond the region, continuing on this path will mean locking in an unnecessary expansion in LNG [liquefied natural gas].”
According to the analysis data, LNG import capacity in countries associated with the initiative is expected to exceed historical Russian pipeline gas imports as soon as 2025.
The analysis highlights renewable energies—in particular, wind and solar power—as a more sustainable alternative.
For the upcoming summit, the authors thus recommend accepting the fact that renewables will dominate the European market, aligning offshore wind targets in the region, prioritising electricity interconnections, reassessing LNG plans, and promoting cooperation in the cleantech sector.
To see Ember’s analysis: https://aeur.eu/f/b4t (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)