In Germany, gas consumption has fallen by more than seven percent since October 1st compared to the previous year. However, the Federal Network Agency speaks of a secure supply in winter.
In the past few weeks, more gas was consumed nationwide than in the same period last year. Since October 1st, gas consumption has been 7.2 percent higher than in the same period in 2022. This was reported by the newspapers of the Funke media group, citing calculations by the Federal Network Agency.
Consumption rose significantly, especially in industry: by 11.1 percent since the beginning of October. The Federal Network Agency recorded an increase of 2.5 percent in gas consumption for private households and businesses.
Temperatures slightly higher than 2022
According to the AFP news agency, the higher gas consumption cannot be attributed to colder temperatures. On average, the values since October 1st have been 6.7 degrees Celsius – 0.7 degrees Celsius higher than in the same period last year.
However, looking at the years before the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, there was a significant decline in gas consumption. According to the Federal Network Agency, this fell by a total of 13.9 percent compared to the comparable period from 2018 to 2021. This means that 12.8 percent were saved in industry, while private households and businesses saved 15.3 percent.
Gas storage facilities are well filled
Despite increased consumption, the gas supply is secured in winter, emphasized the head of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller: “The storage facilities are around 90 percent full and we have stable imports that secure our gas supply. A gas shortage this winter is unlikely.”
However, Müller continues to call for savings in gas consumption. “We recommend that people use gas consciously and think carefully about how much consumption can be saved,” says Müller: “If you use less gas, you can save a lot of money.”