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Germany to Wean Itself Off Russian Oil, Gas in Next 2 Years
- Gas imports could be wound right down by the middle of 2024
- Oil, coal purchases could broadly end this year, minister says
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Germany plans to stop almost all Russian oil imports this year and broadly wean itself off the country’s gas by mid-2024, a hugely ambitious plan that poses complex logistical hurdles for Europe’s biggest economy.
As Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck unveiled the plan on Friday, he once again made clear that Germany will not back an immediate embargo on Russian energy, as the cost to business and households would be too great. At the same time, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged to become independent from Russian energy “as soon as possible.”