Teresa Ribera warns of the use of energy as a "geopolitical weapon"

BarcelonaIn an increasingly unstable world, the First Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera, is clear on the matter: "We are shaken by the feeling that the world order is faltering, and that the use of energy and raw materials and the dependencies between different powers are becoming a geopolitical weapon," she stated in Barcelona, ​​at an event organized by the Foundation for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (Funseam). But she was quick to point the way forward: "We must be aware of the progress we have made. The future is not written, but we must not let ourselves be swayed by the noise and pessimism." For the former Vice-President and Socialist Minister, the capacity for reaction of the different member states is key, especially given the major shock that Europe experienced with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which highlighted the excessive energy dependence and the response of severing the supply chain. While in 2022, 45% of the natural gas consumed by Europe came from Russia, this figure has now fallen to 12%.

However, as a consequence, imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the United States have quadrupled. "Until relatively recently, we considered it relatively reliable; today we see it as a relevant country with which we maintain very important relations, demonstrating the extent to which the best long-term response is to increase our autonomy," she argued. "Dependence, wherever it comes from, is still dependence, and it is desirable that this dependence does not become vulnerability," she emphasized.

In a world order that "has not collapsed, but is evolving," the First Vice-President of the Commission advocated for updating how Europe relates to its partners. It is in this context that she applauded the recent agreements with Mercosur and India. "They send a clear message: cooperation is chosen over isolation, as well as risk reduction, the creation of opportunities for our companies and those of Mercosur and India, and the diversification of supply chains," she explained. "Europe has chosen its path, and it's normal that it will encounter challenges along the way," she emphasized. In this regard, she highlighted policies that the current European Commission wishes to develop, such as the green VAT and energy highways, including the electrical connection between Spain and France through the Pyrenees. This point was echoed by another speaker at the Funseam symposium, Beatriz Corredor, president of Redeia. "Regarding electrical interconnection, we are more of an island than Ireland," warned Corredor, who said that "there is a lack of political will" and called for overcoming "national resistance" in some neighboring countries. "Everything related to energy autonomy is about survival. Geopolitics is crucial for competitiveness and social cohesion," she noted.