It is true that Germany and Austria appear to be on track to fill their gas storage facilities in time for the winter with the goals they have set for themselves. But what kind of security does that actually entail? The chairman of the German network office now says in a newspaper interview that gas shortage situations are hardly predictable.
“Cold periods can occur anywhere in Germany. If we get a very cold winter, we have a problem,” says Klaus Müller in an interview with the “Handelsblatt”, published on Thursday. In addition to private heating behavior and the situation in neighboring countries, the weather determines where shortages can arise. All three however, the factors could not be predicted: “We are currently working on models that allow us to warn politicians and business about a gas shortage a few days in advance.” The well-stocked storage facilities save time. “But we cannot predict gas consumption for more than a week and a half. This is mainly due to the weather forecasts.”
Network agency: ‘Gas shortages in waves’
In the event of a significant deterioration of the gas supply, the German network operator must decide who will receive how much gas. According to Müller, he cannot say in which regions of Germany a gas shortage is most likely. “I expect waves: there are gas shortages, they go, they come back, they appear here, sometimes there, possibly all over Germany.”
Müller critically assessed the recent savings efforts of private consumers. In his estimation, these would have consumed more gas than hoped. “Given the warm temperature and the extremely high gas prices, I was very surprised. That has to change.” Many stoves are apparently still set as they were before the crisis: “This is a warning sign, something urgently needs to be done.”
Kocher ‘optimistic we won’t have a gas emergency’
Austrian Economics Minister Martin Kocher said during a conversation with journalists in Vienna on Tuesday that he does not believe in a longer freeze on the gas supply from Russia. “I think that’s unlikely, because it would also be an extreme burden for him (Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin, take note).” “I’m relatively optimistic that we won’t have a gas emergency this winter,” Kocher continued.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
