Status: 12/14/2022 5:01 p.m
On Monday, Germany used a full percentage point of the stored gas – a new high this winter. Federal Network Agency boss Müller sees no shortage, but calls for savings.
According to the Federal Network Agency, Germany consumes too much gas. Most recently, a whole percentage point was taken from the gas storage tanks on Monday – the highest daily value this winter. “That should now remain an outlier,” said the agency’s president, Klaus Müller, in common Morning magazine from ARD and ZDF.
Müller once again urged the population to save gas. “Despite the cold, my request is that you be careful with gas consumption,” said the head of the agency. He turned to private households and business alike. Not every room has to be heated and the temperature can be set a little lower.
Economy and households miss savings targets
In both areas – both in the economy and in private households – the savings targets “that we have set ourselves” are currently not being achieved,” Müller continued. “It will become critical if we don’t achieve the minus 20 percent savings over the whole winter.”
In the private sector in particular, more gas is currently being used than hoped, said the agency boss. That’s why it means: “Be careful with the heaters in your own four walls”.
Müller: Gas shortage is not imminent
According to Müller, however, a lack of gas and the turning off of gas lines are not imminent. “We are very, very far away from that,” said the head of the agency. The reservoirs are more than 92 percent full. “One, two, three weeks when it gets cold and we consume more, we can easily endure that.” But that should not continue in January and February.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Economics was left with reference to the still quite high memory levels. “We’re not worried,” she said. The spokeswoman pointed out that LNG gas will continue to be imported, so that one is not only dependent on storage.
Müller was critical of the idea of a European gas price cap – “because it may mean that we don’t get enough gas”. Instead, European countries should combine their market power to achieve low prices. “If the whole of Europe buys gas together, that’s a good idea.”