Network agency expects cuts
Sauna clubs have to fear the winter
08/27/2022, 6:15 p.m
The leisure sector is particularly suffering from the energy crisis. In addition to sports facilities, wellness facilities now also have to reckon with restrictions in winter. In the event of a gas shortage, the patio heater could soon be history.
The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, expects restrictions on saunas and wellness facilities for the winter. “I cannot imagine that gas consumption in the leisure sector will simply continue during the winter given the extremely high energy prices,” Müller told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. “In any case, that would be grossly lacking in solidarity in a gas shortage,” he added.
A gas shortage would have dramatic consequences for jobs, businesses and production, emphasized Müller. “Everyone has to be clear – jobs and the production of essential goods should be more important to us than personal comfort in the energy crisis.” The drama has not yet reached everyone. “There is a lot of discussion about the high prices, but some people apparently think the whole thing has nothing to do with them,” said Müller.
The German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation called for a ban on radiant heaters in gastronomy in the newspaper. “There are good reasons to ban patio heaters in outdoor catering,” said BUND energy expert Oliver Powalla to the newspaper. In winter, not only gas but also electricity becomes scarce and very expensive. “We can’t currently afford the luxury of sitting comfortably warm outside even in cold temperatures,” said Powalla.
According to the “Bild” newspaper, several retail chains are now shutting down escalators because of rising electricity prices. This applies to branches of the electronics retailer Saturn and the department store chain Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof. The latter already saves on the lighting. According to the report, the shopping center operator ECE stops escalators during off-peak times in the morning and in the evening. The furniture retailer Ikea is examining other energy-saving measures in addition to switching off escalators.