[EN] Le rôle du gaz dans la dimension extérieure de la transition énergétique de l’UE

This Policy Paper is a contribution of Sami Andoura(Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute) et Clémentine d’Oultremont(Egmont), to the project Think Global – Act European (TGAE). Thinking strategically about the EU’s external action directed by Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute (report available in May 2013, dir. Elvire Fabry, Senior Research Fellow, Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute).

Sami Andoura,Senior Research Fellow, Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute and Clémentine d’Oultremont, Researcher, Egmont ? As an economically attractive option for investors, a potential backup source for renewables and the cleanest fossil fuel, natural gas is expected to play an important role in the European transition towards a low-carbon economy by 2050. At a time when European primary energy resources are being depleted and energy demand is growing, natural gas is becoming increasingly important to the EU. Consequently, the gas import dependency of the EU will continue to grow significantly in the coming years. However, if the EU wants to achieve its energy transition by 2050, gas must be considered as a mid-term rather than a long-term solution.

The EU is facing important challenges linked to its gas policy both internally, by attempting to create a competitive, interconnected and well-functioning internal market for gas; and externally, by struggling to develop a coherent and collective external strategy, which would allow it to both diversify and secure its gas supply from abroad.