A new, broader package of energy saving measures is announced today by Economy Minister Robert Habeck, accusing Russia of blackmailing Europe.
A new, broader package of energy saving measures is announced today by the Minister of Economy Robert Hambeckaccusing Russia that is blackmailing Europe.
Thursday morning they started again natural gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany and Western Europe, but the pipeline is only operating at 40% of its capacity. Consequently, the worst case scenario, that Russia would completely turn off the tap, but not even the good scenario is realized. Because, based on its technical capabilities after the completion of the maintenance work, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline could transport twice as much. This is what the contractual obligation assumed by Russia foresees, the German side points out. The head of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, expresses uncertainty about the developments. “We see gas flowing from Russia today, but will it be the same tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow?’ asks Miller, speaking to German television (ARD). “There are doubts when one listens to the statements of President Putin. Consequently, we cannot signal an end to the alert.”
After all this, on Thursday afternoon the Minister of Economy Robert Hambeck announced that, despite the reactivation of Nord Stream 1, “we must maintain and intensify measures to save energy”. In this context, he announced a new “package of energy security measures” which, among other things, foresees: First, higher occupancy rates for natural gas warehouses, namely 75% on September 1st and 95% on December 1st. Second, utilization of it “lignite reserve” since October. Third, measures to limit consumption in public buildings and private homes, which are not limited to recommendations, but are mandatory in nature. Examples include the ban on heating private swimming pools with natural gas, as well as the mandatory technical inspection of heating installations in all private homes, under the responsibility of the owner.
Full support for the Commission’s plan
Commenting the “emergency plan” for the action presented on Wednesday in Brussels by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the German Minister of Economy made it clear that he “supports” this proposal and furthermore asked all EU member states to support it in the name of solidarity, “even if some of them are not even supplied with natural gas from Russia.” He even mentioned that Germany has already managed to save natural gas by 14% on an annual basis, which is however largely due to the particularly favorable weather conditions of the last few weeks, therefore “more effort is needed…”
It is noted that on June 23, Robert Hambeck had declared a “state of alarm for natural gas”, addressing recommendations to reduce consumption and clarifying that, if necessary, further mandatory measures will be taken. As for Russia’s claims that it is the “guarantor” of energy supply in Europe, the German economy minister did not fail to comment on them, saying that they are a “complete distortion of reality” and what is happening is that Russia is “blackmailing” Europe.
And yet, Russia also needs Europe
Commenting on the reopening of Nord Stream 1 h Claudia Kernfert, economist and researcher at the Institute for German Economics (DIW), tells the Rheinische Post newspaper: “The fact that Russia has restarted gas flows is proof that it does not want to ‘pull the rope’ either, no only for economic, but also for political reasons. If we continue saving, in November we will be able to fill our warehouses by 90%.” As for Russia’s own behavior, “it shows how dependent it is on natural gas exports to Europe,” says Claudia Kernfert.
Giannis Papadimitriou
DW
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