Infrastructure Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) evaluates the extra-secure gas pipeline capacities from Norway on Thursday as a “major step towards security of supply”. In any case, these additional delivery quantities must be consumed and stored in this country: “This is gas for Austria”, the minister clarified once again. The Gas Diversification Act sets aside 100 million euros per year for this.
Do we have enough gas for heating and cooking in the winter? While the specter of energy shortages has been hanging over Austria for months, the minister sees in the Ö1 “Morgenjournal” that a milestone has now been reached to get through the cold months well.
According to Gewessler, the guaranteed 40 terawatt hours of gas from Norway corresponds to about 45 percent of the total annual consumption. Especially in view of the uncertain situation of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which is currently being maintained, this is a major safeguard – after all, it is still uncertain whether gas will flow through the pipeline at all.
Situation still tense
Gewessler explained that the extra capacity is only now available, on the one hand due to the fact that the pipeline capacities have now been reallocated through an auction, and on the other hand due to the fact that the state is covering the extra costs for the transport. of non-Russian gas. Yet one should close one’s eyes to the tense situation, she still thinks saving gas is sensible.
Russia ‘no longer a reliable partner’
The extra capacities are made possible by a cash injection – the federal government has made 100 million euros extra costs easy. Money that OMV is likely to use, the minister said. In any case, Russia is “no longer a reliable partner”, she emphasized that alternatives must be sought.
Natural gas will in any case remain a scarce and expensive good in the coming years, so saving gas will also remain an issue.
It can get cold in the offices
While the additional amounts of gas would already reduce dependence on Russia, there was still “work to be done”. She called for more speed in joint energy purchasing, especially at EU level.
In any case, she supported the European Commission’s proposal to introduce a maximum temperature of 19 degrees in public buildings to save more energy.
Will gas really stay in the country?
The long-serving head of E-Control also sees a “significant improvement in the situation” in the development, but the problems are far from all solved. OMV simply has the technical capabilities and financial support to handle the shipments. He assumes that OMV will actually use the gas in Austria in accordance with Gewessler – but the company will probably decide in the short term whether Russian gas is willing and able to flow after all.
At the same time, however, he recalled the obligation to show solidarity in Europe. It is therefore possible that the gas has to be supplied to neighboring countries in case of an emergency. This is also important because the economic interdependence in these areas is sometimes very large.
No relief for high prices
At least 30-40 percent of the annual consumption is absolutely necessary for supplying households and maintaining the electricity network. The rest is “negotiable” with the neighboring countries. “We hope it won’t be so scarce,” but of course there’s no telling how much gas will come out of Russia, Boltz said.
However, the expert sees no relief in energy prices as a result of the extra transport capacity. Here too, it is still crucial how much Russian gas is still being supplied.
Source: Krone
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