The point of the article was that Germany just took another significant step to replace some of its (previously) imported Russian gas.
They will be burning less Russian gas for electricity generation, and more non-Russian coal in its place.
Electricity generation is probably the biggest single use where natural gas in general can be replaced by other fuels.
In addition to alternative energy sources like coal, the Europeans are also planning/enacting some measures to increase conservation/efficiency of natural gas, where alternatives are not readily available (like industrial uses as a feedstock). In general, higher prices will naturally induce users to conserve some degree more.
Slowing growth or recession will also have some degree of effect in reducing general demand for natural gas, during the transition period away from Russian suppliers.
So some replacement of natural gas, some conservation practices, and general demand suppression due to higher price and the economy in general; will work on the demand side of the equation, while major efforts are underway to arrange alternative supply.
It is a big job, that can’t be done overnight, but this article shows that Germany is continuing to take the actions necessary.
Yes, it is going to hurt the economies of the EU and the likely the world in general, during the transition to other suppliers. That is a hefty price, that must be paid, and is being paid so far.
This coming Winter will likely be the hardest point in the transition off of Russian energy supplies. So Russia will put out a lot of effort to try to break the will of the West, through propaganda, influence campaigns to corrupt officials, and the use of useful dupes on Internet forums, like this one, to demoralize the public into surrendering to Russian aggression and domination.
But ultimately, the price of the transition away from Russian energy is one that the West can pay, without significant loss of life. Putin has taken the conflict to the level of significant loss of life, and made the case for these costs. European political leaders have consciously decided to pay these costs, and are doing so.
The flows of Russian energy to Europe have already slowed pretty dramatically, as the recent 40% reduction through Nordstream further highlights. This Winter is likely Putin’s last hurrah in using the energy weapon to coerce European policy, so we should expect a full court information warfare effort to convince us that resistance is futile.
Thank you for a post filled with half truths. Russian energy production and revenues have done nothing but increase since the beginning of the Ukrainian “conflict”. In May their revenues had already more than doubled as compared to last year. Any decrease in sales to the West have already been more than offset by exports to the East.
I understand that you have a lot of emotional energy invested in the Biden administration’s failed policies. The only question that I have is how much longer that you can continue to keep living in a fantasy world. Europe and our energy policies are insane and have basically nothing to do with the conflict in Ukraine. Leftists everywhere want to destroy our economies and they are using this nonsense to do it. They could not care less that the beneficiaries are the Russians and other peoples who live in places which hate us. But they thank you for your efforts to usher in “the great reset”.