欧洲头条丨“北溪”再起波澜 欧洲能源转型与地缘博弈之痛

Core Viewpoint - The "Nord Stream" gas pipeline project, particularly "Nord Stream 2," has long sparked extensive controversy within the EU, involving energy security, geopolitical issues, and the EU's relationship with the US and Russia [1] Group 1: EU's Position and Actions - German Chancellor Merz supports the EU's proposal to ban the Nord Stream pipeline to prevent any efforts by the US and Russia to resume gas deliveries [3] - The EU has acknowledged that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, payments for gas to Russia have exceeded aid to Ukraine, equating to the cost of purchasing 2,400 F-35 fighter jets [4] - The EU claims it is now capable of sanctioning the Nord Stream project without jeopardizing energy supply security or further increasing energy prices, having diversified gas supplies and accelerated renewable energy development [4] Group 2: Criticism of EU Energy Policy - Several European Parliament members express strong dissatisfaction with the EU's current energy policy, criticizing the high costs of gas imports through intermediary countries, which undermines sovereignty and employment [5][6] - The price of gas for European enterprises is reported to be four to five times higher than that in the US, attributed to the EU's ideological approach to energy issues [6] Group 3: Current Energy Market Dynamics - Despite a decrease in Russian energy supplies, Russia still holds a significant position in the EU's LNG market, accounting for about 20% of total LNG demand, second only to the US at approximately 45% [7][9] - The EU's LNG imports surged from 107.5 billion cubic meters in 2021 to 170.2 billion cubic meters in 2022, marking a 58.4% increase, while pipeline gas imports fell by 34.9% [11] Group 4: Future Challenges and Strategic Considerations - The EU may face energy supply tightness and rising prices in the short term due to sanctions, with residential gas prices projected to rise from €11.04 to €12.33 per 100 kWh, the highest since 2008 [9][11] - The EU's reliance on US LNG raises concerns about energy security, with warnings against replacing one dependency with another [12][14] - The fate of the Nord Stream pipeline reflects the EU's struggle to balance economic realities, political unity, and geopolitical competition [14]