Shower for Only 2 Minutes, Sauna with Multiple People... Europe Fights for Energy Saving

Russian Gas Supply, Which Accounted for 45%, Drops Below 10% After War
European Countries Strive to Save Energy and Secure Supply

The Eiffel Tower, which is illuminated from dusk, originally shone in golden light until 1 a.m., but since September 23, the Paris City Hall has been turning off the lights 1 hour and 15 minutes earlier as a symbolic measure for energy saving. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] On the 1st (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that Europe is facing an energy crisis as Russian gas supplies have been cut off. European countries are making every effort to reduce energy consumption and secure additional supplies.

Since the war in Ukraine, Russia has limited gas supplies to Europe in response to Western sanctions. The share of Russian gas, which accounted for 45% of Europe's total gas supply before the war, has dropped to below 10% since the war began.

Energy saving has become a major topic across Europe. Most European countries, including Germany, France, and Denmark, are encouraging households, businesses, and public buildings not to raise indoor temperatures above 19 degrees Celsius. They recommend using appliances outside peak electricity consumption hours and unplugging devices when not in use.

In Denmark, people are advised to dry laundry using drying racks instead of dryers. Slovakia has issued guidelines to finish showers within 2 minutes and limit rinsing water after brushing teeth to one cup. Finland also recommends enjoying saunas with family or friends to save energy.

Governments, as major energy consumers, have gone beyond recommendations. They are participating in energy saving by reducing heating in public buildings, turning off streetlights, and closing public swimming pools.

Simone Tagliapietra, a researcher at Bruegel in Belgium, said, "Europe will be able to achieve a complete separation from Russian (energy), which was once considered impossible."

European countries are actively working to secure additional energy supplies. Spain continues to keep liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers waiting off its coast despite storage facilities being full and unable to unload more. Germany has extended the lifespan of nuclear power plants that were scheduled to be shut down. New LNG terminals are being constructed to import LNG from the United States and the Middle East. The UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands have begun offshore drilling to find new gas fields despite opposition from environmental groups. Greece is increasing coal power generation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.