Germany, heavily dependent on Russian gas, is trying to replenish its supplies after the Kremlin drastically curtailed supplies via the key Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, exacerbating Europe’s worst energy crisis in decades.
Natural gas storage facilities in Germany are filling up faster than usual, but the country will still struggle to provide enough fuel to survive the coming winter, writes Bloomberg.
Even if the target of filling warehouses in 95 percent. by November is met, it would only cover about 2.5 months of heating, industry and energy needs if Russia completely cut off supplies, says Klaus Mueller, president of the Federal Network Agency, the national energy regulator, quoted by Bloomberg. The warehouses are currently 77 percent full.
Mueller said that due to the risk of a colder than usual fall and the risk of further supply disruptions, the government’s target of an 85 percent full warehouse. by October may be a challenge, and the November target of 95 percent. seems “difficult to achieve”.
The German government called on citizens to save energy. From autumn new, strict regulations are to apply in Germany. Due to the gas crisis, public buildings in Germany will only be heated to 19 degrees Celsius in the winter season.