Notification of early warning in the western Swedish natural gas system
On Tuesday June 21st, the Swedish Energy Agency declared an “early warning” for the western Swedish natural gas system.
Early warning is the first of three crisis levels. An early warning does not imply an immediate reduction of the natural gas supply in Sweden. It is a signal from the Swedish Energy Agency to operators, industries and customers of the western Swedish natural gas system to prepare for a possible future decline in the natural gas supply. The supply of gas in Sweden is robust at the moment and the stockpiles of gas in Europe, including Denmark and Sweden, are well stocked ahead of the coming autumn.
Denmark and Sweden: common gas market
On Monday the 20th of June, Denmark raised its crisis level to early warning due to a significant decline in gas supply to Europe via Nord Stream 1.
Sweden and Denmark have a common gas market and a joint balancing zone; therefore, the Danish supply situation is of great importance to Sweden. For this reason, the Swedish Energy Agency has decided to mirror the Danish decision to announce an early warning.
Reduction in gas supply – what does it imply?
A reduction in gas supply would initially mean that gas prices may rise, but could eventually also evolve into a shortage situation. Therefore, the Swedish Energy Agency urges all businesses depending on natural gas to take actions and prepare for a possible future gas shortage. The risk of shortage is predicted to be at its highest in the winter and spring of 2022-2023.
Updates on the war in Ukraine
Due to Russia´s war on Ukraine, the Swedish Energy Agency is closely monitoring the gas supply situation in Europe. Read reports and updates on our Swedish website:
For how long will the crisis level early warning apply?
The crisis level "early warning" applies until further notice.
Legal support for the Swedish Energy Agency's decision
The Swedish Energy Agency, as the Competent Authority for security of gas supply in Sweden, refers to the Article 11 (1) (a) of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2017 concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply and repealing Regulation (EU) No 994/2010.
Contacts:
Swedish Energy Agency press and media centre: pre...@energimyndigheten.se or call +46 (0)16 544 23 99
