Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) on Friday night dismissed accusations by the Federation of Industry chairman that her ministry would be inactive despite the risk of a cessation of gas supplies from Russia. “We are working very hard,” Gewessler emphasized, referring not only to the cost of living adjustment, but also to the emergency plan, the first phase of which has already been activated. At the same time, the Green minister objected in the “Zeit im Bild 2” interview that the industry had relied for decades on the low prices from Russia and had become increasingly dependent.
They are preparing for everything because “we know we are dealing with someone whose statements one cannot trust,” Gewessler said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, after days of confusion, has now carried out his threat and the ruble as the sole means of payment for natural gas. The relevant documents, which OMV already has, are currently being examined by the oil and gas company, Gewessler explains. However, the Environment Minister made it clear: “According to the current state of knowledge, payments in euros can still be processed because a bank intervenes.”
According to the minister, the E-Control regulator interacts with large-scale gas consumers in order to be able to make quick decisions about energy management. “Gas flows in the direction of all Austrian market areas, including imports via Ukraine, are currently uninterrupted,” according to a current management report from the independent system operator Austrian Gas Grid Manager. However, the price situation in the markets is “still tense and volatile”. “The domestic supply from end customers has been fully covered by imports in recent days, storage is increasing,” says AGGM. “Despite historical and seasonally low storage levels in Austria and the conflict in Ukraine, from the current perspective there is no disruption to Austrian end-customer supplies.”
Be “careful” with oil and gas.
Gewessler also assured that if the worst happened, households would be a high priority. In terms of gas consumption, energy-intensive industrial sectors would have “the greatest leverage” in terms of any savings. Gewessler rejected the industry association’s criticism of the Department of Energy’s crisis management. Among other things, the National Council decided in record time on the strategic gas reserve and the gas early warning stage was announced. According to the minister, the domestic industry is vulnerable due to the high dependence on Russian gas.
The companies would have benefited from cheap gas for years. In the past ten to fifteen years, governments had done nothing to reduce Austria’s dependence on Russia. Austria gets 80 percent of its gas from Russia, Germany 50 percent. The environment minister called on domestic businesses and consumers to “be careful” with oil and gas.
Source: Krone
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