The federal government and E-Control jointly announced the early warning level in the emergency plan for the gas supply on Wednesday. The reason for this is Russia’s announcement that future gas deliveries will be paid only in rubles. According to Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), the measure will ensure “being prepared for change and able to react quickly”.
As a direct result of the early warning phase, the surveillance and monitoring system that has been in place for weeks will be further tightened with immediate effect. For example, the daily reports of E-Control and Austrian Gas Grid Management, which are responsible for the gas market in Austria, are supplemented with detailed analyzes of the market parties.
Any energy management measures (eg rationing) are not part of the first phase of the contingency plan. They are only used in level 3 – the emergency level – and in the immediate event of a crisis.
The phases of the emergency plan:
- L – early warning level: If there are concrete and reliable indications that the gas supply may deteriorate, this will be indicated.
- II- warning level: If the gas supply situation actually deteriorates, the second stage is declared. Industry is encouraged to use natural gas alternatives wherever possible.
- III- emergency level: Gas can no longer be supplied, current demand can no longer be met. Measures for industry, such as replacing natural gas with other energies, are just as possible as measures for energy management.
Gas storage tanks are 13 percent full
Gas deliveries from Russia are currently continuing without restrictions. The domestic gas storage tanks are 13 percent full, which corresponds to the average of recent years. E-Control continuously monitors the supply flows.
“Be Prepared for Change”
According to Chancellor Nehammer, “everything will be done to ensure gas supplies for Austria’s households and businesses”. Deliveries are currently coming in reliably and without restrictions, but “this may change of course”. The early warning stage ensures that the monitoring of the supply situation is intensified in order to be prepared for changes and to be able to respond quickly. Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) takes the same line: With the early warning level, the situation on the gas market is now being monitored “even more closely”.
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.
