Prospects of the Use of Shale Gas in the EU Power Sector

Apart from the uncertainty associated with changes in the demand for gas, the discussion on international gas markets is dominated by the question of gas production from unconventional sources, including shale. Because the acquisition and use of shale gas in the United States had a significant impact on the economy and led to a significant gas prices fall, reduction of production costs and the increase of the economy competitiveness as well as many other effects known as "shale revolution". European Union is currently absorbed by the discussion of shale gas use in the EU energy sector. On the one hand, there are many positive effects of "shale revolution" in the United States and Canada, the exploitation of shale gas can reduce the dependence on gas imports from Russia and increase energy security. But on the other hand, shale gas is indicated as a potential threat to the environment, including the possibility of groundwater contamination. This article is an attempt to find answers to the following questions: - whether the European Union countries possessing potential shale gas resources will decide to explore them and to what extent, - what the potential effects of the "European shale revolution" for the individual countries as well as for the whole European Union are, - what the prospects for shale gas to be included in common energy policy are, or whether decisions in this matter will remain the sovereign responsibility of EU countries? It seems that shale gas is an opportunity for the EU energy sector; however, its exploitation and usage will depend primarily on attitude of EU members, their energy mixes and the standpoint of the European Union regarding this issue.