Federal Minister of Economics Habeck draws the conclusion from the reduced gas supplies from Russia and calls the alarm level in the gas emergency plan. This gives the authorities more opportunities to intervene.
In view of the significantly reduced gas supplies from Russia, the federal government has declared the alarm level of the gas emergency plan.
“Currently, security of supply is guaranteed, but the situation is tense,” said the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The emergency plan has three levels: The alarm level now declared is the second. The third would be the emergency level.
According to the plan, the alert level indicates a gas supply disruption or exceptionally high demand for gas, leading to a significant deterioration in the gas supply situation. However, the market is still able to handle this disruption or demand.
Two conditions for gas price increases
Utility companies should not yet be given the opportunity to increase their gas prices under the Energy Security Act. Two requirements must be met for this: On the one hand, the alarm level or emergency level must have been declared. On the other hand, the Federal Network Agency must have determined a “significant reduction in the total gas import volumes to Germany” on this basis. This determination must be published in the Federal Gazette. Only then are companies allowed to raise prices to a “reasonable level”.
Habeck said on Thursday: “The prices are already high and we have to be prepared for further increases.” This will affect industrial production and become a major burden for many consumers. “It’s an external shock.” He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of an “economic attack”.
Habeck: Hopefully never gas rationing for industry
Habeck wants to avoid rationing for industry if possible. “That shouldn’t happen, in any month at best,” said the Greens policy, but added: “Of course I can’t rule it out because what we’re doing is so full of prerequisites. But it’s not a scenario we’re working towards – quite the opposite.”
All measures are designed to keep market forces as effective as possible and to create other alternatives, said Habeck. It is about making savings, switching to other energy sources and expanding the infrastructure “to avert this scenario”.
“From now on, gas is a scarce commodity in Germany”
According to Habeck, gas is “from now on a scarce commodity in Germany”. “I say this even though the security of supply is currently guaranteed.” And added: “Even if gas quantities can currently still be procured on the market and still stored: The situation is serious and winter will come.”
“It is the failures of the last decade that have now led us into these difficulties,” said the minister. You would be in a different position if you had really made progress in energy efficiency and the expansion of renewable energies in recent years.
Source: Stern
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