After Germany and Austria activate the emergency plan for the possibility of gas shortages, announced recently Chancellor Carl Nehammer. The Netherlands is still on hold.
“We will do everything possible to ensure the supply of natural gas to Austrian households and businesses,” said Nehamer, announcing that the first level of the emergency plan, which concerns the early warning of the system, has been activated. . “So far, gas deliveries are being reliable and unrestricted. That, of course, can change,” he said, adding that the early warning stage would ensure intensified monitoring of the supply situation. “In the event of a change, we will be prepared and able to react quickly,” said Energy and Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler.
According to the newspaper “Der Standard”, if the worst case scenario was verified, the drop in gas supply would be immediately apparent. This last happened in January 2009, when the supply of Russian gas was suspended for 13 days due to a dispute with Ukraine, through which Russian gas passes to the West.
At the same time, the activation of even the first level means that there are “specific, serious and reliable indications” that an event is likely to occur which would lead to a significant deterioration of the gas supply situation. In the second stage, the gas supply situation is considered to have deteriorated. In this case, in theory at least, the free market mechanisms remain effective and the state does not need to intervene, while e.g. voluntary reduction of gas consumption by industry itself. The ground level is activated when no more gas is supplied and the existing demand can no longer be met. The Secretary of Energy may then prohibit industrial plants from using natural gas to ensure that households, hospitals, rescue services and the police can be supplied with gas for as long as possible.
Germany has managed to reduce its dependence on Russian gas from 55% to 40% in recent weeks, but Austria, which has 80% dependence, has failed to do so, prompting strong opposition reactions. Social Democrat (SPÖ) spokesman for energy Alois Sroll accused the ruling coalition of proceeding “without a plan, but only with assurances, which, due to the current explosive phase, are not enough.”
At present, gas storage facilities in Germany are 25% complete, while in Austria only 12%. In Germany, according to a recent decision by the Bundestag on the gas storage ceiling, occupancy will reach 90% on 1 December, provided there is no supply interruption. In Austria, just last week it was decided to set up a strategic gas reserve.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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