GPPi fellow discusses gas supply security at European Commission workshop

GPPi Fellow Andreas Goldthau participated in a European Commission workshop on the politics and economics of European energy security. Hosted by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre, the event took place in Amsterdam from November 18 – 19. The aim of the workshop was to bring together policymakers, academic and other key stakeholders so as to ensure that the European Union has a coherent energy security policy, and to inject new thinking into the broader European debate around energy security.

Goldthau, who is also an associate professor of public policy at Central European University, gave a presentation titled Gas Supply Security after the Shale Gas Revolution. He explained how, during the past few years, three coinciding factors changed the global landscape for natural gas: (1) soaring shale-gas production in the United States, (2) a global economic recession and (3) increased liquefaction capacity of natural gas. Some observers emphasize the positive effects of the ​“shale gas revolution” for European energy security, in particular decreasing import dependence on Russia. However, Goldthau discussed some of the potential dangers of such development. These include uncertainty in future market structures and pricing structures, adverse incentives for investment in gas projects (particularly in Russia) and efforts to cartelize an increasingly global market for natural gas.

Joining Goldthau on the panel were Jean-Arnold Vinois (Head of Unit, Directorate Security of Supply and Energy Markets, DG Energy), Pierre Noël (EPRG, University of Cambridge) and Coby van der Linde (Director of the Clingendael International Energy Programme). The panel was chaired by Luigi Debarberis (EU Commission).