Slovakia Secures Gas Supply After Ukraine Halts Russian Transit
Slovakia has vowed to ensure safe supplies of natural gas in the country after Ukraine halted transit of Russian gas to Europe on Wednesday. The country's largest gas supplier SPP has taken steps to ensure the continuation of natural gas supplies.
The flow of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia was stopped on Wednesday at the Velke Kapusany entry point on the Ukrainian-Slovak border. SPP has been preparing for the stoppage for a long time and has purchased gas from non-Russian sources, diversified the gas transport routes, and guaranteed the current natural gas put in storage tanks about 20 percent more than a year ago.
SPP, with around 65 percent of the country's gas market share, will use other available sources to ensure sufficient quantities as well as the best price for their customers. However, any alternative will be significantly more expensive.
Eustream, the Slovak gas carrier, has made clear that natural gas is transported at all interconnection points in accordance with customer nominations and it is fully prepared to meet its obligations to customers and ensure reliable transport.
Slovakia's Regulatory Authority for Network Industries has published energy prices for households in the year of 2025. Gas prices will witness an increase from 15 percent (gas used for cooking only) to 34 percent (gas used for cooking, heating, and the heating of water) if state energy assistance is not counted.
SPP issued a declaration to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen together with Eustream and other companies in Austria, Hungary, and Italy earlier this month, saying that gas transportation through the territory of Ukraine is "the most advantageous solution not only for gas consumers in Europe, but also for Ukraine itself."
Sourcing gas from alternative routes would cost Slovakia an additional 220 million euros (229 million U.S. dollars) a year, and the difference is mainly caused by transit fees.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also warned in a letter to the European Union (EU) on Dec. 29, 2024, that tacit acceptance of Ukraine's decision to halt Russian gas transit will heighten tensions. He described the move as wrong, irrational, and likely to trigger reciprocal measures. He also expressed the belief that ending the gas transit would harm the EU more than Russia.
The European Commission said it would not support discussions on extending the gas transit contract or seek alternative solutions to maintain flows, and it has not been involved in any negotiations regarding the matter.
Russia's gas firm Gazprom stopped Russian gas supplies via Ukraine to the EU and Moldova at 6 a.m. Central European Time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday, after Ukraine refused to renew a five-year gas transit agreement with Russia which expires on Dec. 31, 2024. The suspension of transit was also confirmed by the Ukrainian Energy Ministry.
6 Comments
BuggaBoom
Slovakia and other EU nations shouldn't be blackmailed by Russia's gas games. Finding new suppliers is the only way.
Katchuka
Switching to non-Russian gas is the right thing to do, but the cost is unacceptable. Who will pay for this?
BuggaBoom
Fico standing up for Slovakia's interests with the EU, demanding fair solutions for rising gas prices.
Eugene Alta
Diversifying gas is necessary for national security and avoiding relying on unreliable Russia.
Africa
Gas prices won't come down until we stop being pawns in America's geopolitical chess game.
Coccinella
Sourcing gas from alternative routes costlier? No problem, just raise our taxes again! Right?!