Good article, and glad to see some optimism on this thread
The article seems to suggest the most likely solution is that the EU will purchase Russian gas via pipelines which don't run through the Ukraine based on cost and availability. It rejects shale gas and LPG from outside the EU as, while it does mention the situation may change in the future, it claims that there is no available excess of production capacity available for export. It mentions that the Russia to EU pipeline under the Baltic is underutilised. at the moment, but doesn't mention if its capable of fully replacing the existing network of pipes, many of which go through the Ukraine,
Was a bit confused by that aspect of the article i.e. the EU can't (at present) import natural gas/ shale gas or LPG from outside of Europe due to cost, which I understand and lack of availability. But, doesn't fully explain if Russia could meet all of Europe's gas demands using just the Baltic pipeline. Perhaps, I misunderstood the article...
Also, am not really sure why the RUSSIA STRONK!!! crew "liked" your article. It goes into great detail about how Europe's energy demands could be met using non Russian sources which would totally kill the Russian economy.
Have replied to your flame-bait on a thread where it's maybe relevant. And no, there's no need to thank me, moderators, for doing your job for you.
Nice questions.
-First the Baltic pipeline is not enough, they need the mediterranean one.
-Second the article is from April, the situation has changed, the gas/petroleum prices has plumbed regardless of the crisis in the producing countries (Libya, Russia, Iraq/Syria). The problem is that there aren't a lot of LNG plants to receive it as a consequence of NIMBY movements (Not In My Back Yard, worst kind of citizen, they say yes to everything only if it is far away from them).
But I think this could be easily solved as article says with LNG processing ships, here in Venice zone we produce two(image below) of this a year, and I think they are relatively more complex than a normal frigate (they cost as a destroyer 800€ each one)
You got at least another dozen of shipyards with this capabilities in Europe and companies greedy for work, so building ourselves LNG ships wouldn't be a problem.
-Third, this article come from The Economist, even if normally it is a good economic magazine it tends to be UK biased, now let's analyze the position of EU countries.
1) Germany, as the FT article I linked is has the biggest trade relations with Russia
2)Italy, same history here, but not only economical by being the second, if I remember correctly the communist party in Italy has been(when we were still in the cold war) the most supported communist party from all European countries, this has left mark in Italian society.
3) To a certain degree France had the same kind of society (with Italy we are the most Welfare spending countries), plus they oppose normally the US, this is the reason Hollande has been chosen as a mediator
4) Ex-Warsaw pact, it is enough the example of the European Interceptor Site (EIS) to understand where they stand here, even more now that Poland is pursuing the same objective alone. Just take a look at the ultra-right wing government from Hungary. Baltic countries have an irrational fear of being absorbed.
5) UK with the Ex-Warsaw/Baltic are the ones that are pushing the crisis, as you can read in this new article
Conflict in Ukraine: The siege | The Economist so when you read an article from The Economist you need to take in account that is biased.
Now I will take in account Italy because it is the country I know better, and we know that Germany and France will do better most of the times so we can use my country as a "low standard"
In 2013 we produced 40% energy from renewable sources, this is the production side, we are pushing for energy efficiency too, here if you double glaze your windows, put photovoltaic, isolate the building, etc.. Etc... The government will give you back 65% of your investment in tax direct deduction in 10 years (6,5% investment, with 0% inflation it is a paradise). Everyone right now is improving their homes right now.
In poor words if Italy is doing this well, and we are not using all the alternative energies in Europe (EX: wave movement is the best one because thanks to the moon there are always tides that will provide energy),
imagine in how much time Europe is going to be able to say no to Russia/US.
