German Gas Supply Assured for Upcoming Winter, Affirms Minister

13 Oct, 2023

German Gas Supply Assured for Upcoming Winter, Affirms Minister

In Berlin, the Economy Minister confirmed that Germany is well-prepared to meet its gas requirements during the upcoming winter season, dispelling concerns that arose after a disruption in Russian gas supplies last year.

Robert Habeck, the Economy Minister, provided assurance in an interview with public television, stating, "The (gas) reserves are full. If everything goes well, we will get through the winter without any trouble." Nevertheless, he emphasized the need for caution due to recent incidents such as a pipeline leak between Finland and Estonia and industrial actions at gas processing facilities in Australia in September.

Germany had been heavily reliant on Russian gas transported via pipelines before the conflict in Ukraine disrupted supplies. In response to this disruption, Germany implemented measures to reduce its gas consumption and sought alternative sources to prevent acute shortages. These measures included reactivating mothballed coal-fired power plants to alleviate the strain on gas-powered facilities.

However, Minister Habeck noted that these coal plants, originally intended for operation until March 2024, might not be needed during the coldest months around the turn of the year. This is due to the rapid expansion of gas import capacity, facilitated by the construction of multiple liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, providing Germany with a valuable buffer.

Despite the confidence in the current situation, Habeck acknowledged that unforeseen events could still disrupt the gas supply, and he could not make absolute promises. As of the latest data, Germany's gas reserves stand at 97 percent capacity, slightly exceeding the government's 95-percent target for the end of September.