Russia decided to close Western sanctions by gasifying the country

But this does not promise to reduce gas tariffs

By 2030, all Russian consumers will be provided with natural gas. This promise was made by the head of Gazprom, Alexey Miller, at a meeting with Vladimir Putin. The monopoly will allocate a record amount of 270 billion rubles in 2024 for the “additional gasification” of its constituent entities. The task of fully providing Russians with “blue fuel” will most likely be completed. True, experts doubt that the cost of gas, the reserves of which our country is the leader on the planet, will decrease even in this case.

In 2024, Gazprom will allocate 270 billion rubles to the program of gasification and additional gasification of Russian regions. “We have allocated a record amount for these purposes – 33.5 billion more than in 2023. The goal of achieving 100% gasification in Russia by 2030 will be absolutely achieved,” said the head of the gas concern, Alexey Miller, to the head of state, Vladimir Putin. The head of Gazprom added that the level of gasification in the country as of January 1, 2024 will be 89%. This will allow most households and industrial enterprises to improve access to a source of energy and heating. However, in order to achieve complete gasification, it is necessary to continue work to expand the gas infrastructure and increase the availability of gas for all regions of Russia.

Our country has the largest reserves of natural gas. The export of “blue fuel” brings in hundreds of billions of dollars. According to Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov, by the end of the year the level of gasification in Russia will reach the target of 73.8%.

True, not all European countries are ready for such a change. According to leading Freedom Finance Global analyst Natalya Milchakova, at least ten EU members expect a decline in GDP in 2023, which previously depended on inexpensive Russian gas, as well as on oil supplies from Russia, which is cheaper than from OPEC or the United States. Production costs have risen, inflation has risen, and, most importantly, many European energy-intensive enterprises are leaving Europe, moving their business to countries where energy resources are cheaper. In 2024, very weak economic growth is predicted in the Eurozone (0.7-0.8%).

The main cost of refusing inexpensive energy resources from Russia will be the stagnation of the economy of continental Europe. For Russia, the break with the European Union did not pass without a trace. Oil and gas revenues of the Russian budget at the end of 2023 will decrease to 9 trillion rubles, which corresponds to the level of 2021. A treasury deficit in 2024 cannot be avoided. Russia was able to redirect oil export flows from the west to the east and south within a few months, but the number of buyers is limited. If in past years the European Union considered Russia as a single exporter of hydrocarbons, then current conditions do not allow this.

One question remains, notes economic expert Andrei Lodoba. will the increase in the level of gasification in Russia affect the rising prices for “blue fuel” in Europe. Most likely, the result will be the opposite – official prices for connecting to a gas meter will not become higher, but utilities, which will include the gas tariff, will increase slightly.”