Just in Time: Europe wakes up to the potential of Gas

Bucharest, 1 April 2019: The European Union launched the Sustainable and Smart Gas Infrastructure Declaration today, calling for recognition of the role that the gas infrastructure will play in the decarbonisation of the energy system, while also identifying that gas has the characteristics to easily store energy for longer periods, transport and be more easily used by certain sectors that would be challenging to electrify.

Eurogas Secretary General, James Watson, commented: ‘Today is an important day in European energy policy. The European Institutions have recognised the vital role that gas plays and will play in the energy system of today and tomorrow. This declaration is a signal that gas will be part of the solution that Europe seeks to meet its energy challenges – not only through decarbonisation but also through the unique value of the existing gas infrastructure and its value to society in Europe – both industry and consumers. For these reasons I am proud to have signed the Declaration on behalf of Eurogas today.’

He continued ‘The role of gas should not be a mystery for anyone, today it is driving decarbonisation efforts as a substitute for fuels with higher greenhouse gas emissions. In the future we will see the existing gas infrastructure carry increasing volumes of renewable gas and also decarbonised gas in the form of hydrogen. The Declaration fully supports this view and lays the foundation for achieving a sustainable energy future for all Europeans.’

The Declaration was signed by industry representatives including Hydrogen Europe, GIE and many others. Tomorrow it will be signed by European Union Energy Ministers as part of the Informal Energy Council.

Eurogas is a European gas industry association representing 44 companies and associations engaged in gas wholesale, retail and distribution in Europe.
Press contact: Felicia Mester, felicia.mester@eurogas.org, tel. +32 2 894 48 06
Eurogas • Av. de Cortenbergh 172 • 1000 Brussels • www.eurogas.org