Spain is increasing its dependence on Russian gas in the midst of the threat of a possible supply cut and despite the fact that uncertainties about it are increasing with each day that passes in the face of autumn. Last February, just when the invasion of Ukraine began, imports from Russia rose to 2,174 gigawatt hours (GWh) and, according to the latest data available from Enagás, in July they reached 5,317 GWh, which is more than double.
But not only that. While the rest of the countries around us are looking for alternatives to Russia so as not to run out of gas, Spain seems to be giving more and more importance to the supply from this country, under Putin’s tutelage. In February, Russian gas represented 5.7% of our supply and now it already reaches 14.5%, that is, almost three times more. Specifically, last June Russia surpassed Algeria (currently the main supplier), which allowed it to be only behind the United States, which at that time was the country that sold us the most gas.
The increase in gas imports from Russia could be explained by movements of gas traders, as explained to elEconomista.es by market sources. These take advantage of the Spanish regasification capacity and the prices of Russian gas (lower than those of other supplying countries) to buy gas.
While Russia increased imports, the United States and Nigeria decreased their quotas at this time. Fossil fuel from the other side of the Atlantic covered 32.9% of national demand in February, compared to 23.3% now. In the case of Nigeria, the coverage share went from 21.1% to 16%. Despite the drop, they remain ahead of Russia, as the second and third largest suppliers.
In total, compared to February, gas imports decreased by 3%, from 37,902 GWh to 36,746 GWh. In recent months, new suppliers such as Egypt (with 2.9% of total supply) and Angola (with 2.8%) have joined the list. Gas imported from Qatar increased at this time, going from representing 2.3% of demand to 5.5%.
Europe reduces the Russian peso
According to data from the Helsinki Energy and Clean Air Research Center (Crea), which uses Eurostat data, among others, apart from Spain, in the European Union only Romania and Bulgaria have increased their purchases from Russia since War has started. Apart from Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands and Poland, which have run out of Russian gas; the European average reflects a drop in purchases of 60%.
Germany, which has demanded that Spain send gas in the coming months to be able to meet the autumn supply and thus guarantee the supply of industries and homes, has reduced its purchases by 77% since the start of the war; Italy has done so by 72% and France has lowered them by up to 26%. At the end of July, Algeria, despite the existing diplomatic tension, was once again the largest gas supplier in Spain, representing 23.3% of the total supply, with sales in July of 8,572 GWh.
The United States has been located practically at the same level, with 8,530 GWh and 23.2% of the total sales pie. The third supplier is Nigeria with 5,882 GWh and a 16% share, therefore slightly ahead of Russia. At a much further distance are France, Trinidad and Tobago, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Egypt.
However, the Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, assured that Spain has a guaranteed supply if there is a total cut off of Russian gas. Likewise, she ruled out the threat of energy rationing this winter, unlike what happens in other Member States. Just tomorrow, the temporary interruption of the flows of the Nord Stream I gas pipeline, which connects Russia and Germany, will become effective. Europe fears that the closure will be prolonged.
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