A gas embargo is not planned at the moment, but the IG BCE union fears that the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West will cause problems as soon as autumn arrives.
According to the IG BCE, Germany must prepare for possible energy bottlenecks because of the Ukraine war and its consequences.
“All of us – the federal government, companies, employees and private households – have to be prepared for the fact that the energy supply can be very difficult in autumn,” said Michael Vassiliadis, head of Germany’s third largest trade union, in an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. .
This requires a summit meeting with all the key players in the energy supply sector, Vassiliadis continued. “If there was ever a reason for an energy summit led by the Federal Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs, then now.” For example, it must be clarified how much gas is available for what purpose in an emergency: “What is used as a raw material in production, what is used for electricity and what is used for heat production?”
In the event of a Russian gas supply stop or a gas embargo by the EU against Russia and the associated supply bottlenecks, the gas emergency plan takes effect. He has three levels. The first, the early warning level, has already been declared by the federal government. In the last, the emergency level, the state would have to intervene. It would then be possible to switch off industrial customers. Private households, on the other hand, are protected.
In view of the current situation, Vassiliadis does not yet see the planned phase-out of coal in danger. This is primarily dependent on the pace of the expansion of renewable energies and the associated power grids. If more coal-fired power plants were kept in reserve to generate electricity, “the conditions under which mining can continue in the lignite open-cast mines, if necessary, would also have to be clarified”.
According to the report, Vassiliadis continues to reject a gas embargo against Russia. However, he supports the planned oil embargo, even if it brings great burdens. “Precisely because of its role in dependence on Russian gas, Germany should support the planned oil embargo.” However, the prerequisite is that the supply of the East German refineries, which are particularly dependent on Russian oil, is secured by alternative means.
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.
