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Europe's ability to endure a cold winter season hasn't been checked, energy officers say

Europe has successfully made it through the worst energy crisis in decades thanks to require reduction and a couple of mild winter seasons, however the continent's. capability to survive a cold winter hasn't been checked yet, senior. energy executives said on Tuesday.

Executives from top energy firms including France's. TotalEnergies and Germany's RWE stated during. talks at the Europe Flame Gas and LNG Conference in Amsterdam. that in addition to the temperature level, major dangers next winter season. would consist of a pick-up in Chinese need and supply blackouts.

WHY IT is essential

EU countries have raced to change Russian fuel following. Moscow's intrusion of Ukraine in 2022, and LNG imports have actually been. crucial in changing a substantial share of Russian gas. pipeline products.

In 2023, Europe ended up being the world's greatest importer of LNG,. surpassing China, importing 134 billion cubic metres (bcm). of LNG.

SECRET ESTIMATES

CARA MACDONALD, HEAD OF LNG & & CLEAN FUELS SUPPLY AT. GERMANY'S RWE SUPPLY AND TRADING

Had we had a cold winter, or if we have a cold winter, this. year (or) next year, the quantity of flexibility on the demand. side will lessen more significantly.

We (in Europe) have handled it through demand (decrease),. but can we continue doing that? ... There's restricted ability to. boost flexibility on the supply side.

PATRICK DUGAS, HEAD OF LNG TRADING AT TOTALENERGIES

Europe is still a premium market (like) Asia, so we may see. in the coming months or years competitors between the two basins. in Europe and Asia in terms of attractiveness of the LNG freights. in regards to economics.

It is necessary to highlight the key element of. supply/demand around the world, which is China. The healing of China. will be a feature of the (LNG) landscape of the next few years.

MARCO SAALFRANK, HEAD OF CONTINENTAL EUROPE MERCHANT TRADING. AT AXPO SOLUTIONS

In truth, Europe didn't check a really difficult situation,. because it only had mild winter seasons. If the next winter season will be. really cold, and there will be a circumstance (like) a hurricane in. the United States or something, then it'll be various.

You see that Europe is doing well. We have good storage. levels and whatever is great, but again, this can change and. extremely quickly..