“Hard New Energy Reality”
BDI criticizes prioritization rules in the event of a lack of gas
7/18/2022 7:28 am
The distribution of the resource is regulated in the final stage with an emergency plan in the event of a nationwide gas shortage. According to Industry President Russwurm, the case of the cases will come to Germany, but the prioritization rules are no longer up to date.
The Federation of German Industries (BDI) demands that the supply of natural gas be re-regulated in the event of a shortage. “The current prioritization rules in a gas shortage were created for a short-term interruption of individual lines,” said BDI President Siegfried Russwurm. “Politicians in Berlin and Brussels must create a new regulation for the tough new energy reality. This must hold all parts of society accountable according to their ability to perform.”
Russwurm expects Germany to face “a long-term gas shortage”. Now “every kilowatt hour saved on gas and electricity counts,” he said. “In addition to companies, municipalities and countries, private consumers must become part of the massive energy saving campaign.”
Prioritization is the order in which private households and companies receive natural gas in the event of an acute shortage. According to the applicable EU regulation and the German emergency plan for gas, certain consumer groups should be supplied with gas until the very end if possible. These protected consumers include private households, social facilities such as hospitals and gas-fired power plants that also supply households with heat.
Gas should go under the hammer
According to Russwurm, Germany “should not stare like a rabbit at the snake in preparation for all conceivable scenarios after the end of the revision of Nord Stream 1”. The industry is expecting “a clear starting signal for auctions in the summer” for companies that can make unused gas volumes available. Also, authorities should allow companies to switch from gas to other fuels with quick and easy permits.
Since Monday, July 11, gas has stopped flowing through Nord Stream 1, the main pipeline for natural gas from Russia. Gas transport was interrupted for annual maintenance work on the Baltic Sea pipeline. The work is scheduled to last until July 21. In Germany, however, there is concern that the pipeline will not be put back into operation.
A Nord Stream compressor turbine serviced in Canada is soon to be returned to the Portovaya compressor station via Germany. So far it is unclear when the turbine will be installed. “The reliable operation of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and the supply of European consumers depend on this,” said the Russian energy company Gazprom.