The worth of fuel in Europe has fallen to its lowest degree for the reason that begin of the warfare in Ukraine because of the delicate winter – Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File Allison Dinner
Florian SOENEN, Isabel MALSANG and Nicolas GUBERT
Wholesale pure fuel costs in Europe fell to their lowest degree on Monday since Russia invaded Ukraine, pushing them to a document excessive final 12 months.
A gentle winter has allowed international locations to attract on much less fuel from shares that had been constructed up in anticipation of provide cuts from Russia, which was Europe’s primary provider earlier than the warfare.
The benchmark European contract — Dutch TTF fuel futures for subsequent month — soared to a document 345 euros per megawatt hour in March. It nonetheless reached 342 euros in August.
However costs have been falling since then, reaching 73 euros on Monday, down 50% from a month in the past and the bottom degree since earlier than the warfare on February 21.
Fuel exports from Russian power big Gazprom to the European Union and Switzerland fell 55 % final 12 months, the corporate mentioned on Monday.
Europe was Gazprom’s primary export market, however provides have been reduce sharply on account of sanctions following Russia’s offensive in Ukraine in 2022.
European nations stuffed their fuel storage services and launched campaigns to encourage shoppers to save lots of power throughout the winter.
European storage ranges stood at 83 % on Monday, lowering the necessity to purchase extra fuel for now.
The EU has struggled to seek out new sources of pure fuel in its efforts to cut back its heavy reliance on Russian provides.
EU nations have additionally adopted a mechanism to cap pure fuel costs, however analysts say it should probably have solely a restricted influence in lowering what companies and households pay.
Consultants have warned {that a} chilly pot might nonetheless ship fuel costs again up.
Russian President Vladimir Putin might additionally trigger extra turmoil within the markets.
“It might ship much less (fuel), but it surely might additionally ship extra to sure locations within the hope of splitting European international locations,” mentioned Thierry Bros, an power market analyst who teaches on the Sciences Po faculty in Paris.
Europe would battle to replenish shares this summer season if it doesn’t obtain 30 billion cubic meters of Russian fuel, Bros mentioned.
“Costs are susceptible to going up once more,” he mentioned.
Europe is best ready than in January 2022, when storage was solely 54 % of capability, Bros added.
Competitors between Europe and Asia for liquefied pure fuel imports might additionally elevate costs, mentioned Nicolas de Warren, president of the French affiliation of essentially the most energy-consuming industries.