Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Germany to miss gas storage target amid warnings of winter shortages

Germany to miss gas storage target amid warnings of winter shortages

Moscow has drastically cut flows to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline since mid-June and is currently supplying only 20% of agreed volumes, blaming technical issues, but the move is widely seen as politically motivated in retaliation for sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.

Germany will fail to meet its gas stocks target set by the government to avoid a winter energy crisis amid a Russian supply squeeze, the country's regulator has warned.

Klaus Mueller, president of the Federal Network Agency, said there was "hardly a chance" of meeting the November benchmark because some storage sites were already depleted.

He also cautioned that Germany - Europe's biggest economy - faced two tough winters.

The country is currently in the second phase of a three-stage emergency plan to reduce its heavy dependence on Russian gas following the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow has drastically cut flows to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline since mid-June and is currently supplying only 20% of agreed volumes, blaming technical issues.

However, the move is widely seen as politically motivated in retaliation for sanctions prompting accusations of the Kremlin using energy as a "weapon".

Germany has already hit its first target for gas storage facilities to be 75% full by 1 September.

The next goals are for stock levels to be at 85% by 1 October and 95% the following month.

Mr Mueller told the news website t-online: "I don't expect we will achieve the next storage targets as quickly as the first one.

Reaching the 85% target by autumn was "not impossible, but very ambitious", especially if heating was already being used, he said.

He added: "We fall short of an average level of 95% by 1 November in all our projections.

"There's hardly a chance of achieving that because some storage sites started at a very low level."

Russia has reduced supplies through the Nord Stream pipeline


Mr Mueller said Germans should save gas as they face potential problems for a couple of years.

He went on: "It's not just about one winter, it's about at least two and the next winter could be even tougher.

"It's not just about one winter but rather at least two. And the second winter could be even harder.

"We've got to save a lot of gas for at least another year.

"To put it clearly: it's going to be at least two stressful winters."

Mr Mueller pointed out that shortages in the coming winter were "probable" in some regions.

"The shortfalls will probably be temporary at first and then could stop or return repeatedly," he said, which may see gas having to be transported into affected areas.

Household energy bills in Germany are set to soar this winter, while energy shortfalls threaten to hinder economic growth.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Druzhba Pipeline Incident Sparks Geopolitical Tensions
Cost of Opposition Leader Péter Magyar's Economic Plan Revealed
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Budapest Central European Fashion Week Kicks Off
U.S. Celebrates Labor Day
Hungarian National Team Captain Scores Epic Goal
EU is getting aggressive: Four AfD Candidates Die Unexpectedly Ahead of North Rhine-Westphalia Local Elections
Japanese Customer Sways from VW to BYD after “Unbelievable” Test Drive amid Dealership Expansion
Nestlé Removes CEO Laurent Freixe Following Undisclosed Relationship with Subordinate
Pickles are the latest craze among Generation Z in the United States.
Giuliani Seriously Injured in Accident – Trump to Award Him the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Deadline Day Delivers Record £125m Isak Move and Donnarumma to City
Nvidia Reveals: Two Mystery Customers Account for About 40% of Revenue
Woody Allen: "I Would Be Happy to Direct Trump Again in a Film"
Lula and Putin Hold Strategic BRICS Discussions Ahead of Trump–Putin Summit
White House Eyes Budapest for Peace Talks
Cave Diving Beneath the Streets of Budapest
Another American Restaurant Chain Opens in Budapest
Hungarian Opposition Politician Supports Ukrainian Commander
Opposition Leader Threatens Media Outlets
American Airlines Adds New Flights to Budapest
F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Wraps Up
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that looks a lot like Telegram.
U.S. Trade Representative says Washington still negotiating trade deals after court rules tariffs illegal
Von der Leyen says Europe drawing up 'precise' plans to send troops to Ukraine
Kremlin accuses Europe of hindering Trump’s peace efforts in Ukraine
×