Habeck on the gas supply: “It’s not like we’re defenseless either”

The fact that Russia is running out of gas is a well-known pattern, said Economics Minister Habeck in the daily topics-Interview. To ensure that the gas storage tanks are full in winter, one thing is important: saving energy.

Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has once again called on companies and citizens to save energy. The security of supply with gas is still guaranteed in the near future – despite the recent shortages in the gas quantities supplied by the Russian energy company Gazprom, Habeck said in the daily topics.

But to keep it that way, the gas storage tanks would have to be full in winter. Habeck therefore called for thrift again. If the storage levels do not increase, legal measures must be taken to ensure that gas is saved.

But that’s not necessary yet: With currently 56 percent, the storage levels are above average, although the starting position was “above average bad”, according to Habeck.

“Trial of Strength with Putin”

The actions of Gazprom, which again reduced its delivery volume via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany on Thursday, fit into a pattern that had been observed for weeks, said Habeck. This should keep prices high. He emphasized that it was important to act prudently and wisely – and still have no illusions “that we are in a power struggle with Putin.”

“But it’s not like we’re defenseless,” said the minister. In addition to the storage levels of the gas tanks, he referred to LNG terminals that are currently being built and new contracts with other gas suppliers.

Habeck said nothing about demands from the housing industry to lower the prescribed minimum temperature in rented apartments in the event of a lack of gas. The federal government has not yet dealt with it. However, should there be a gas shortage in winter, the first step would be to fire cogeneration plants with coal instead of gas, Habeck said. Be prepared for this “fuel switch”.