EU's Russian gas imports surge 18% in 2024
Despite EU's plans to phase-out Russian energy by 2027, gas imports hiked in 2024.
Published on March 27, 2025
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A new report by the energy think tank Ember finds that imports of Russian gas to the EU surged by 18% in 2024. Despite plans to phase out Russian energy by 2027, increased imports into Italy, the Czech Republic, and France drove the rise.
Although demand did not grow, imports increased. Moreover, the EU plans to enhance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity by 54%, with member states seeking alternative gas suppliers. According to the think tank, this expansion occurs despite stable demand until 2030. Analysts warn that such expansion could result in overcapacity, with fossil gas supply expected to surpass demand by 26% in 2030. "This level of overinvestment, amounting to 131 billion cubic meters, matches the combined annual gas consumption of Germany, France, and Poland," reads the press release.
“It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas,” said Ember analyst Dr Pawel Czyzak. “Instead of investing in true alternatives like renewables and efficiency to cut off Russian imports, Member States are burning money with expensive LNG capacity that won’t even be used.”
Threatening energy security
The analysis reveals that after years of price volatility driven by the war in Ukraine, gas prices surged by 59% in 2024. As a result, the European gas price benchmark is around double the pre-crisis levels.
At the same time, the reliability of gas supplies from foreign sources other than Russia has become more uncertain. Escalating geopolitical tensions raise concerns about depending on US supply, even as the US expands its LNG export capacity. Although the EU has proposed funding foreign LNG infrastructure and entering into long-term LNG contracts to reduce reliance on Russian gas, this strategy could deepen dependence on potentially unreliable suppliers.
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EU plans in danger
The European Commission announced its intention to cut Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027. However, as Ember underlines, the EU didn't set a legally binding target or a plan for the phase-out. Analysts underline how EU member states can import Russian gas, taking advantage of loopholes, such as using shadow vessels or indirectly purchasing it.
Concurrently, the more expansive dash for alternative gas suppliers clashes with the EU's intention to reduce energy costs, as pointed out in its Action Plan for Affordable Energy. The strategy underscored the necessity to diminish dependence on fossil imports to boost energy security and knock off costs.
Isaac Levi, team lead at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), said: “The EU needs to stop dragging its feet and act immediately to implement legally binding measures—not empty promises—to set a clear timeline for ending Russian gas imports. To break free from Russian gas and constrain the Kremlin’s war-chest, the EU should enforce an LNG price cap, ban spot market purchases, and stay firm on a full gas phase-out by 2027. Without policies to restrict the flow of Russian gas into Member States, the EU risks increasing its reliance on this volatile supplier in 2025, just as it did with an 18% rise last year. Reliance on Russian gas exposes Europeans to price volatility, energy blackmail, and undermines support for its allies in Ukraine.”
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