Germans told to conserve energy as Russia cuts gas flows to Europe
https://www.ft.com/content/9cdd8457-0e5a-4452-af3e-9df7107fd128
The German government has appealed to the population to conserve energy after Russia cut supplies through a critical Baltic Sea pipeline bringing gas to Europe.
Deputy chancellor Robert Habeck said the situation was “serious” and that companies and citizens should do what they could to save energy. “Every kilowatt hour helps in this situation,” he said in a video appeal published on Twitter.
Russia's state-controlled gas exporter Gazprom has cut flows through the Nord Stream pipeline by 60 per cent in recent days, citing technical problems. But Germany claims the move is political, amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the west over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, other countries also reported problems with Russian gas supplies. Italy, Slovakia and Austria said they had experienced a reduction in gas flows or had been warned by Gazprom that deliveries would be cut in the coming days.
EU politicians have accused Russia of effectively weaponising its role as one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers, with fears growing that it could retaliate against EU sanctions by turning off the gas tap to Europe.
Gazprom has already shut off gas flows to Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark after they refused to comply with a new rouble payment system ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
European gas prices, already running close to record levels, have soared more than 70 per cent this week in response to the latest supply restrictions, reaching €146 per megawatt hour on Wednesday — a gain of almost 30 per cent on the day.
Germany is not the only European country experiencing supply problems. Italy’s gas deliveries fell by 15 per cent on Wednesday and Italian energy company Eni said the shortfall had worsened on Thursday. Slovakia reported a 30 per cent reduction in flows, and Austrian energy company OMV said it had been told by Gazprom that delivery volumes would be cut.
Habeck said Germany had enough gas for the moment because it was buying more on the spot market.
But analysts warned that while immediate needs could be met, filling storage ahead of peak winter demand would be much more difficult if Russian supplies continued to fall
https://www.ft.com/content/9cdd8457-0e5a-4452-af3e-9df7107fd128
The German government has appealed to the population to conserve energy after Russia cut supplies through a critical Baltic Sea pipeline bringing gas to Europe.
Deputy chancellor Robert Habeck said the situation was “serious” and that companies and citizens should do what they could to save energy. “Every kilowatt hour helps in this situation,” he said in a video appeal published on Twitter.
Russia's state-controlled gas exporter Gazprom has cut flows through the Nord Stream pipeline by 60 per cent in recent days, citing technical problems. But Germany claims the move is political, amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the west over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, other countries also reported problems with Russian gas supplies. Italy, Slovakia and Austria said they had experienced a reduction in gas flows or had been warned by Gazprom that deliveries would be cut in the coming days.
EU politicians have accused Russia of effectively weaponising its role as one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers, with fears growing that it could retaliate against EU sanctions by turning off the gas tap to Europe.
Gazprom has already shut off gas flows to Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark after they refused to comply with a new rouble payment system ordered by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
European gas prices, already running close to record levels, have soared more than 70 per cent this week in response to the latest supply restrictions, reaching €146 per megawatt hour on Wednesday — a gain of almost 30 per cent on the day.
Germany is not the only European country experiencing supply problems. Italy’s gas deliveries fell by 15 per cent on Wednesday and Italian energy company Eni said the shortfall had worsened on Thursday. Slovakia reported a 30 per cent reduction in flows, and Austrian energy company OMV said it had been told by Gazprom that delivery volumes would be cut.
Habeck said Germany had enough gas for the moment because it was buying more on the spot market.
But analysts warned that while immediate needs could be met, filling storage ahead of peak winter demand would be much more difficult if Russian supplies continued to fall
