Poland and Bulgaria might be fine without Russian gas for a few months — until next winter

euronews.com:

If there was ever a time for Russia to cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, spring was probably ideal as consumers are unlikely to feel the impact at home — but the race is now on to find alternatives for industry and before the cold returns.

Gazprom's decision, announced to the two interested EU member states on Tuesday evening, has been described as "blackmail" by Brussels chief Ursula von der Leyen and a "stark reminder" that the bloc needs "reliable partners to build its energy independence."

She also sought to downplay the consequences, stressing that neighbouring countries have stepped up to supply gas to Poland and Bulgaria.

Authorities in both countries have also struck a reassuring note with Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, lauding the planned upcoming completion of the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), which will bring mostly Azeri gas to the country.

At the same time, the Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa emphasised that reserves meant "there will be gas in Polish homes."

Yet, experts have also told Euronews that although the average consumer is shielded from the Russian gas freeze until the winter, the picture is vastly different for the industry.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), coal supplied a little over 40% of Poland's energy mix in 2020, followed by oil (about 30%) and natural gas (about 18%), with the rest coming from biofuels and waste as well as other sources of renewables including wind and solar.

Yet, Poland generates less than half — 46% — of its energy need, producing about 80% of the coal it consumes, but just 20% of gas and 3% of oil. The rest is thus met by imports. About half of the gas and nearly two-thirds of the oil Poland imports come