[goodcanadian]

This is true in a lot of places. However, in the places that I am most familiar with, energy consumption is MUCH higher in the winter due to heating . . .

This may be where the international HVDC lines come in (that a sibling comment of yours mentioned), I suppose.

[distances]

I don't think any country in the north would rely on imported energy for winter survival. I think pretty much every country even in EU counts that critical enough to warrant domestic capacity.

[goodcanadian]

Which is why essentially every country in Europe relies on Russia for gas supplies?

I suspect most of Northern Europe would be happier importing energy from Southern Europe or even North Africa than relying on Russia as they currently do.