Because the filling levels in German gas storage facilities were historically low this winter, the federal government wants to take precautions.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) wants to speed up the construction of the planned national gas reserve in Germany. The corresponding law should be passed in April at the latest and come into force on May 1st.
According to a paper by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, this is necessary so that the entire summer half-year is available to fill the storage tanks. The “Rheinische Post” reported about it first.
The first consultation on the draft of a law introducing fill level specifications for gas storage facilities is planned for this Thursday in the Bundestag.
Specifically, the so-called market area manager, a subsidiary of all gas pipeline operators in Germany, is to be obliged to gradually fill the gas storage facilities up to 90 percent by December 1, 2022. The filling level should reach 65 percent by August 1st and 80 percent by October 1st.
The gas reserve is intended to ensure that the gas storage tanks are always sufficiently filled, as already emerged from the cornerstones of a law. It states that the gas storage facilities in Germany are essential for a supply of gas in the winter months. They could compensate for peaks in demand during cold periods and thus ensure a steady gas supply.
The storage levels were historically low this winter. This applies in particular to the storage facilities of the Russian state-owned company Gazprom. This is one of the reasons why prices on short-term trading venues have risen sharply. When demand peaked, hardly any additional gas was offered from the storage facilities: “Such a situation in the storage facilities must not be repeated next winter.”
According to the paper, the costs incurred for intervention instruments should be passed on to the network users. The amount can hardly be predicted at this point in time because it is not possible to estimate how many interventions the market area manager will have to take. “Since the gas is withdrawn again during high-price phases, especially in winter, profits can even be made and thus relieve gas customers.”
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
