The eastern German energy company VNG sees risks for long-term import contracts and therefore for security of supply in Germany as a result of new EU requirements to reduce methane emissions. "If no practical solutions are found, this will jeopardize the very contracts that we urgently need for our security of supply," CEO Ulf Heitmüller told the German Press Agency.
Proof requirements from 2027
This is due to stricter rules for the energy sector, which will also apply to imports of oil, gas and coal from 2027. Importers will then have to prove that producers outside the EU comply with European methane regulations. "Today, it is completely unclear how this will work in practice," said Heitmüller.
The European Parliament had already approved the regulations in 2024. Among other things, they provide for stricter controls of oil and gas plants as well as reporting and monitoring obligations, including for energy imports. Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and is considered to be significantly more harmful to the climate.
