The impending bottlenecks in the gas supply as a result of the war in Ukraine have been worrying Austrians for weeks. Many citizens fear that they can no longer heat their household properly. But now Chancellor Karl Nehammer assures: “The security of the energy supply for the winter is given.” The Austrian gas storage facilities are therefore 80 percent full.
According to Nehammer, the target of filling 80 percent of domestic gas storage tanks by the heating season has been achieved. The fill level was reached faster than we had hoped, the chancellor told the broadcaster PULS 24 in a statement during his trip to Hungary.
More gas comes from Russia than is currently consumed
Since more gas from Russia is entering the country than is currently consumed, storage will continue, according to Leonore Gewesler’s (Greens) Environment Ministry. The strategic reserve of 20 terawatt hours (TWh) targeted by Austria must be stocked by November 1. According to Nehammer, something else has been achieved: “We have reduced dependence on Russian gas from 80 percent to 50 percent.”
When the war broke out, there was a strong suspicion that the federal government would achieve this goal. “And everyone who was involved has really succeeded, making the energy supply safe for the winter.”
OMV storage 97 percent full
On October 2, 76.79 TWh of gas was stored in all storage facilities in Austria. In relation to economic output, Austria has very large gas storage facilities. When they are completely filled, this equates to about a year needed. However, only part of the gas stored in Austria is reserved for the Austrian market. According to the ORF, this includes 7 TWh for the strategic reserve so far, but according to the Ministry of Climate, Austria has already purchased so much gas that the storage of 20 TWh has been secured by November 1, the ministry announced. OMV’s storage is now 97 percent full.
“We have pulled out all the stops to fill our large storage facilities and create this security of supply. Today we can say: we are well prepared, our storage facilities are 80 percent full and will continue to fill,” said Nehammer. Austria will no longer be extorted by Russia, but will “reduce our dependence and thus regain our independence”.
Gewessler warns: ‘Situation remains tense’
Gewessler also points out that Austria should reduce its dependence on Russian gas supplies. Even though Austria now has a good safety cushion for the winter, “the situation remains tense” because Russia is “not a reliable counterpart” and President Vladimir Putin is deliberately fueling uncertainty and pushing up prices. The turbulence surrounding gas deliveries via Austria to Italy, which became known this weekend, has not worsened the supply situation in Austria.
Source: Krone
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