While most of Europe prepares for a future without Russian natural gas, Latvia has moved to end its dependence on the country’s pipeline volumes starting next year.

europe gas storage graph

Latvian lawmakers have passed a legislative amendment banning imports of Russian gas into the country starting January 2023. The move would add Latvia to a growing list of European countries that have either voluntarily eschewed Russian gas or were cut off for refusing to pay gas contracts in rubles.

Latvia has been searching for alternative natural gas supplies as its storage levels continue to fall short of the annual average. Andrei Belyi, an energy consultant at Estonia-based Balesene OU, said there are still few details on how Latvia may try to make up the difference, but declining Russian supplies could have...