Germany declares early warning phase of gas emergency plan

The German government has today completed the phase of early warning of the gas emergency plan as a preventive measure against a possible escalation and shutdown of the supply by Russia, while ensuring that it is guaranteed. The Confederation of German Industry (BDI) has described the statement as a “sensible measure”.

In an appearance for the press, the Minister of Economy and Climate, Robert Habeckhas indicated that the reason for declaring the early warning phase is the announcement by Russia that it will accept payment for gas and oil supplies in the future only in rubles or else it will suspend delivery.

“To be prepared for this situation, I announced this morning the early warning phase of the gas emergency plan,” the first of three possible scales, and which consists of monitoring for which a crisis team has been called in to meet daily.

Habeck has emphasized that delivery is guaranteed, that all agreements are met and that gas and oil reach Germany.

In that sense, he added that it is a preventive decision, but that everything possible should be done to guarantee security of supply now and for the coming winter.

The early warning phase may be followed by: warning level and the emergency level

On the other hand, he pointed out that Germany has achieved: lower Russian gas imports from 55% to 40% in recent weeks, mainly due to the conclusion of new liquefied natural gas agreements, i.e. due to efforts to become energy independent from Russia.

He recalled that Germany receives liquefied natural gas through the terminals in Belgium, France and the Netherlands, that the supply is constant and that the tanks are currently 25% full. “The decisive question is how full the reservoirs will be next fall and winter, and we have to prepare for that,” he stressed.