Since the Netherlands is one of the premier natural gas exporters in north-western Europe, the decision to limit domestic production in Groningen has important consequences. The Netherlands will have to resort to a greater share of gas imports in order to fill the gap. Due to the strong ties between the Dutch and Russian energy industries and the availability of infrastructure, Russia is in pole position to supply more gas
Traditionally situated in a very liquid part of the European gas market, there are few in The Hague that see Russian gas supplies as a threat. Gazprom, Russia’s state-backed energy firm, is seen as Eastern Europe’s problem. That said, the Dutch government would be wise to not rely on Russian gas imports, lest it would risk bringing Eastern Europe’s problem much closer to home writes Sijbren de Jong for the Atlantic Council.
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