In order to secure the natural gas supply, Austria must draw up much more precise emergency plans and also call for savings for households. Wifo economist Jürgen Janger spoke in favor of this on Thursday. Bonus mechanisms should be introduced to reduce gas consumption for both companies and households. Consideration should also be given to rates that encourage savings.
Before the fall, there must be “ready-made models”, as well as suitable mechanisms and incentives for saving, Janger demanded in the Ö1 “Tomorrow Journal”. That can help if there is a deficiency. The government must now also think about what a possible gas auction could look like. These are efficient mechanisms for the distribution of a scarce commodity.
Wifo boss: In an emergency, everyone wants to be “systemic”.
In an emergency, any industry would see itself as critical to the system, Wifo chief Gabriel Felbermayr said. However, it is clear that the power supply must be given a very high priority because a lot depends on it: “Without gas, the stability of the grids cannot be guaranteed.” One will wonder how medical care will work. Then it gets difficult. Medicines, for example, are of vital importance, but can also be imported. The first thing to do is probably turn off heated pools, without which you’ll get through the winter just fine.
According to the Wifo boss, Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) does not depend on whether all necessary precautions will be taken by the autumn: “She has now taken the precautions so that this can work in a regulatory way, but the gas has to come to Austria. If tomorrow the gas tap is turned off or if a pipeline is destroyed en route from Russia to Austria, it will be difficult. LPG replacement is not easy to come by. That should go via Italy or via terminals for liquefied gas from Western Europe. It’s not easy at all.” Of course, “a run has started”, because everyone needs a replacement for Russian gas: “That makes it difficult – that also makes it expensive,” says Felbermayr.
WKÖ wants “Alpine-Adriatic gas strategy”
Chamber of Commerce president Harald Mahrer is demanding cross-border solutions for gas infrastructure development to bring liquefied gas to Austria. According to media reports, he wants to initiate an Alpine-Adriatic infrastructure summit to tackle the energy problem. Mahrer is thinking of an “Alpine-Adriatic gas strategy” together with Croatia and Italy, where there are gas terminals.
Not only Austria is affected, but also the countries that were previously supplied with Russian gas by Austria. Therefore, a common understanding and plan of Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary is needed. Italy had already informally approached Austria that, for example, the Alpe-Adria pipeline could be used.
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.
