Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) sees progress in reducing dependence on Russian natural gas. That falls ‘well below 50 percent’, she said on Wednesday after the summer council of ministers. For example, pipeline capacities for non-Russian natural gas have been secured via OMV and the storage target of 80 percent is also feasible from the current perspective.
“It’s a big step,” Gewessler said. The reduction in dependence on Russian natural gas is, for example, due to the fact that Austria has secured 40 terawatt hours of pipeline capacity for non-Russian natural gas via OMV. In addition, it has its own production of ten terawatt hours. In addition, Austria bought another 12.3 terawatt hours of gas for almost three billion euros. A total of 20 terawatt hours of natural gas must be stored as a state reserve by November 1. A large part will be stored in Haidach from 1 August and should be available in an absolute emergency.
“Not blue-eyed”“
Nevertheless, the Energy Minister pointed out that Austria had not achieved its goal. “None of us have blue eyes. We know that’s not all. In case of emergency, a harsh winter is coming.” The federal government wants to set a good example, for example with lighting concepts or a lower heating temperature in its own installations. Measures are being drawn up for all ministries. There are no easy fixes, and “we certainly aren’t doing everything right.”
chancellor agreed
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) agreed with Gewessler. “All of this is on an orderly path,” he assured. One was in a dilemma between the need for information and a highly competitive market, but can now announce “good news”. The plan is to become more independent and to save. Russian President Vladimir Putin is using the gas supplies “as a weapon” to divide Europe and cause trouble, Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) added. A disruption of Russia’s gas supply for several months would have dramatic consequences for the economy. “The more we would have cackled, the higher the prices would have been,” he is convinced.
As reported, Russian gas supplier Gazprom has been letting only 20 percent of its potential gas capacity flow through the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline to Germany since Wednesday. The price of gas has risen sharply. On Tuesday, the EU countries decided on an emergency plan to save on gas.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
