The Senate Economic Affairs Committee proposes 5 emergency measures to end French and European dependence on Russian gas

Russian gas represents 20% of French gas consumption, 50% of German consumption and 40% of European consumption. However, between spring 2020 and the end of February, the market price of gas has already been multiplied by 3; it should grow further, given the legitimate sanctions taken by European states against Russia, but also any retaliatory measures that the latter might envisage.

In this context, very disturbed for our security of energy supply, the Senate Economic Affairs Committee resolutely pleads for 5 emergency measures:

• The principle of "marginal cost" governing the European electricity market, which effectively links the price of electricity to that of gas, must be revised without delay, otherwise the Russian fossil gas surge will inevitably have repercussions on that of our carbon-free nuclear electricity. However, nuclear energy, which constitutes the pillar of our security of supply, must be protected as such, as the rapporteurs of the fact-finding mission on nuclear energy and hydrogen of the Daniel Gremillet, Jean-Pierre Moga and Jean-Jacques Michau.
• The gas supply must be diversified. To overcome the suspension of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, it is necessary to accelerate the commissioning of LNG terminals, which can allow imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and to reconstitute strategic stocks for the coming winters, storage obligations to be reinforced , applied and controlled in France and in Europe.
• The decarbonization of gas must be pursued, by substituting national production of biogas for imports of Russian fossil gas. France can and must act in this direction, because biogas represents only 0,44% of its gas consumption. Worse, the multiannual energy program (PPE), published by the Government in 2020, does not respect the "Energy-Climate" law, adopted by Parliament in 2019: the first aims for a target of between 7 and 10% biogas. by 2030, compared to at least 10% for the second! However, there were 1 biogas injection projects pending last fall! It is therefore necessary to revise the PPE and strengthen the support systems to unblock these beneficial projects. Our farmers have a key role to play in promoting this production of biogas, through their methanization projects, which must be facilitated by regulations and financially.
• The “tariff shield” must be consolidated. On the one hand, the regulated gas sales tariffs (TRVG) are only blocked until June 30, 2022 and will disappear on July 1, 2023. They only cover, moreover, 7,5% of gas consumption French! On the other hand, the reduction in domestic tax on the consumption of natural gas (TICGN) only targets individuals, and not professionals. Finally, the loss of revenue due to the blocking of TRVGs will be compensated to suppliers, through public energy service charges (CSPE), which bodes well for significant price increases for consumers. It is therefore necessary to recalibrate the “tariff shield” in the light of the gas crisis, by offering a global and lasting solution to all consumers (households, businesses and local authorities).
• Current European texts must be adjusted. First of all, if low-carbon gas has been integrated into the “green taxonomy”, this integration must be conditional, not only on an emission threshold, already provided for, but also on a criterion of origin. Moreover, the 'Adjustment to Target 55' package must fully favor biogas – in the Renewable Energy Directive – and LNG – in the Charging Infrastructure Regulation – as recently proposed by the rapporteurs of the “Energy” section of this package for the Daniel Gremillet and Dominique Estrosi Sassone commission. Finally, the “Gas” package must be mobilized to the full, to better regulate the European gas market, ensuring that it promotes its decarbonization (through biogas and hydrogen), consolidates its storage and guarantees its origin.

For Sophie Primas: “The war in Ukraine has gravely reminded us of the risk of energy dependence for France and Europe. To ward off this risk, we must do everything we can to reduce the share of gas imports from producing countries, such as Russia, which are manifestly hostile to the economies and values ​​of European liberal democracies: this is an economic and a moral requirement! »

For Daniel Gremillet: “All the levers must be activated to reduce the energy dependence of France and Europe. The reform of the “marginal cost” principle, for which we advocated in our recent report on the security of electricity supply, must protect our carbon-free nuclear electricity from the serious gas crisis. Beyond that, local biogas production must be substituted for fossil gas imports, as we have requested in our recent work on the “Energy” section of the “Adjustment to target 55” package. Finally, we must consolidate the “tariff shield”, allow the use of LNG and replenish strategic storage. It is urgent to act! »