The Future of Gas in Europe and the Outlook for the Coming Winter

Moderator: Ana Vucina Vrsnak
Speakers: Dennis Hesseling and Götz Lincke
Natural gas, mostly imported, has been a mainstay of the European Union's energy sector for decades. With stringent de-carbonization goals set to be reached already by 2040 and even more demanding goals foreseen for 2050, how will the European Union's patterns of natural gas supply and demand evolve? How will demand and supply of renewable gases (biomethane, synthetic methane and green hydrogen) develop? In a de-carbonized future, what role can be construed for the existing (natural) gas infrastructure and what new kinds of infrastructure would be needed? What evolution can one expect of gas system development instruments, regulations, and investment frameworks, in support of a cost-efficient transition to a decarbonized gas future in a competitive market environment, to the benefit of the consumer? What risks and barriers can one expect on the road to 2050?