European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union needs to make emergency plans to prepare for a complete cut-off of Russian gas in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

The 27-nation EU has already imposed sanctions on Russia, including on some energy supplies, and is gearing away from Kremlin-controlled deliveries. 

But the head of the EU's executive branch said the bloc needed to be ready for shock disruptions coming from Moscow.

"We also need to prepare now for further disruption of gas supply and even a complete cut-off of Russian gas supply," Ms von der Leyen told the EU legislature in Strasbourg, France.

She said a dozen members have already been hit by reductions or full cuts in gas supplies as the political stand-off with Moscow over the Ukraine invasion intensifies.

"It is obvious: Putin continues to use energy as a weapon. This is why the commission is working on a European emergency plan," she said.

European Union countries already agreed last month that all natural gas storage in bloc should be topped up to at least 80 per cent capacity for next winter to avoid shortages during the cold season.

The new regulation also says underground gas storage on EU soil will need to be filled to 90 per cent capacity before the 2023-24 winter.

The war in Ukraine has prompted the EU to rethink its energy policies and sever ties with Russian fossil fuels.

Member countries have agreed to ban 90 per cent of Russian oil by year-end in addition to a ban on imports of Russian coal that will start in August.

The EU has not included gas — a fuel used to power factories and generate electricity — in its own sanctions for fear of seriously harming the European economy.

Before the war in Ukraine, it relied on Russia for 25 per cent of its oil and 40 per cent of its natural gas.

To slash its use of Russian energy, the European Commission has been diversifying suppliers.

"And our efforts are already making a big difference," Ms von der Leyen said.

"Since March, global LNG exports to Europe have risen by 75 per cent compared to 2021. LNG exports from the US to Europe have nearly tripled."

In the meantime, the average monthly import of Russian pipeline gas is declining by 33 per cent compared with last year, Ms von der Leyen said as she called for a speedy transition toward renewable sources of energy.

"Some say, in the new security environment after Russia's aggression, we have to slow down the green transition. This transition would come at the 'the cost of basic security', they say. The opposite is true," she said.

"If we all do nothing but compete about limited fossil fuels, the prices will further explode and fill Putin's war chest.

The EU Council agreed last month to raise the share of renewables in the bloc's energy mix to at least 40 per cent by 2030 — up from the previous target of 32 per cent.

In addition, a 9 per cent energy consumption reduction target for 2030 will become binding on all EU member states for the first time.

AP