Greenhouse owner Pieter Wijnen would like to focus on growing vegetables, but since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, his life has revolved around gas and electricity prices rather than his red and yellow bell peppers or mini cucumbers.
"In a greenhouse like this in the wintertime, you need to heat it," he said of his 32 hectare facility in the southern Dutch province of Limburg, which grows 11 million kilograms of bell peppers per year, many of which end up in German supermarkets.
With Russia restricting gas supplies in response to Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, European prices have soared to 20 times the level of a year ago. Supermarkets have pre-emptively slashed orders for flowers by around a third in expectation of consumers spending less amid the cost of living squeeze, he added.The Dutch greenhouse industry is deeply entwined with natural gas due to the legacy of the Groningen gas field, which was Europe's largest for decades until production was scaled down in the 2010s due to the earthquakes it triggered.
As Groningen production wound down, Wijnen has invested 30 million euros in a geothermal project and biomass plants. But ironically, his gas co-generation facilities are currently a lifeline.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
German Gas Giant Uniper Says the Worst Is Still to Come After Russia Halts Flows to EuropeUniper, as Germany’s biggest importer of gas, has been hit hard by vastly reduced gas flows via pipelines from Russia, which have sent prices soaring.
Read more »
Russia’s Nord Stream Pipeline Closure Lands Economic Blow Against EuropePower prices surged, European currencies hit multidecade lows and governments scrambled to contain the economic hit after Russia cut its main natural-gas pipeline to Europe.
Read more »
Russia says United States is behind Europe's gas supply crisisRussia's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the United States had fomented Europe's gas supply crisis by pushing European leaders towards the 'suicidal' step of cutting economic and energy cooperation with Moscow. Europe is facing its worst gas supply crisis ever, with energy prices soaring and German importers even discussing possible rationing in the European Union's biggest economy after Russia reduced gas flows westwards.
Read more »
California issues urgent warning as power crisis hits amid record-setting heat waveForecasters are now saying the heat wave could last through Friday, with temperatures 'cooling slowly.' Another Flex Alert is issued.
Read more »
NBC’s ‘New Amsterdam’ To Be Remade In Turkey; Baz Luhrmann RTS London; Lena Philipsson Viaplay; ‘Project Wolf Hunting’ Sales; Carrie Stein; Bafta Cymru Winners – Global BriefsNBC’s ‘New Amsterdam’ To Be Remade In Turkey NBCUniversal Formats has struck its first licensing deal for New Amsterdam, with Turkish network Show TV picking up David Schulner&82…
Read more »