The gas crisis caused by the war in Ukraine could spread – and some are probably already anxiously looking forward to winter. However, Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler reassured in this regard on Monday evening: “In an absolute emergency there is the instrument of energy control, households do not have to worry that they will freeze in winter.” But it should not come to that, people have been calling for energy savings for weeks and also when it comes to gas storage, Austria is “on the right track”.
Russia announced on Monday that it would cut gas deliveries through Nord Stream 1 again – probably the background is the dispute over the delay in the delivery of a gas turbine. “Vladimir Putin nuses the energy supply as a weapon to divide Europe and drive up prices,” Gewessler said of the situation. From their point of view and that of experts too, there is “no” technically understandable reason for the reduction in delivery”.
“We are on track”
In any case, Austria is “on the right track” with regard to the storage target. This is also due to the fact that Nord Stream 1 is not Austria’s main supply route, “that’s different in Germany”. According to the Minister of Energy, it was even possible to continue storage during the complete shutdown of Nord Stream 1. For example, OMV’s storage capacity has already reached 80 percent.
If the storage target were compromised, Austria would go to the so-called emergency level. However, this would only be the case if Russia completely stopped supplying gas for an extended period of time. “First of all, we are still talking about increased calls for savings,” Gewessler says. But this would affect industry and public service first: “Saving helps to ensure the supply for longer.” It is therefore also important that everyone contributes, with small actions in daily life.
Saving energy is the law
A campaign to save energy has not yet been planned, according to Gewessler: “One We want to run the campaign when it has the most impact – at the beginning of the heating season, when consumption is rising.” But what is actually coming is the obligation to save energy at the legislative level, at least for industry. This design is already under review and will “create significant relief” once it comes into effect.
Source: Krone
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