‘Everything is possible’ warns Robert Habeck after Russia shuts off gas tap
“Political Nightmare” Scenario characterized the Minister of Economy Robert Hambeck (Greens) the possibility of a shortage of natural gas and warned that, if the state intervenes in the flow, Germany will face an “unprecedented test for a long time”.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke of “fair” management of such an emergency situation Annalena Burbock, while the head of the Federal Network Agency Klaus Müller referred to “contradictory messages” from Russia.
“Such a scenario (no gas rationing) must be prevented, by saving energy, storing and auctioning natural gas, as social solidarity will be pushed to the extremes and perhaps even beyond”Mr. Hambeck told German Radio and explained that state intervention in private gas consumption is a last resort for the government.
Regarding Gazprom’s stance from today until the completion of maintenance work on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the Minister of Economy admitted that he is not in a position to predict anything. “Everything is possible, everything can happen. From more gas flowing again to completely stopping the flow (….) Frankly, we have to prepare for the worst and work for the best,” he said.
Also Green Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock assured for her part that the federal government will do “everything in its power” to ensure that a further shortage of Russian natural gas does not divide society. “If we have less energy, less heating supply, then we will make sure that things are done in a fair way,” said Ms Burbock from Japan, where she is on an official visit. However, he again rejected the opposition’s request to extend the operating time of the nuclear power plants.
“Russia is unpredictable”added the Secretary of State, “not only in the war against Ukraine, but also in terms of compliance with the rules that apply, for example in energy supply and for this all the different possible scenarios are being prepared.”
In the same vein, the President of the Federal Network Agency Klaus Mueller spoke of an “uncertain situation” and of “contradictory messages” from Russia. “There are Kremlin representatives who say that, combined with the Siemens turbine (which will be returned repaired from Canada), larger quantities can be delivered again, but there are also very bellicose statements from the Kremlin. To be honest, no one knows,” Müller said in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF.
He appealed again for the greatest possible saving of natural gas. However, he also rejected the scenario of extending the operation of the nuclear plants, since, as he clarified, the heat comes mainly from natural gas.
RES-EMP
View the news feed and get the latest news.
