(MENAFN) Germany has managed to avoid an energy crisis this winter, but Klaus Mueller, the head of Germany's Federal Network Agency, has warned that the next heating season could be more difficult. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, published on Saturday, Mueller noted that the country's gas storage facilities are currently 64 percent full, which provides security of supply for the remainder of the current heating season. However, he cautioned that there is a risk of a gas shortage next winter.
Mueller explained that there are several risk factors that could contribute to a gas shortage. These include a very cold winter in 2023/24, households and companies saving too little, LNG terminals not working as planned, and the need to help neighboring countries with their energy problems. While Germany has largely avoided energy shortages this winter due to unseasonably mild weather, Mueller warned that the weather poses the biggest risk for the next heating season.
Household behavior is another risk factor that could contribute to a gas shortage. Mueller noted that many households stop saving when it is cold outside, pointing to data that showed that during a cold snap in December, only 7 percent of gas was saved, compared to over 20 percent in warm October.
The absence of Russian energy supplies is also a risk factor. While the EU did not ban Russia's pipeline gas imports, their flows dwindled significantly after Ukraine-related sanctions and following the sabotage that disabled the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, one of the main routes for Russian gas to Europe. As a result, Germany no longer receives Russian gas directly, and according to Mueller, energy prices will no longer be as low as they were when it did.
Overall, the report highlights the complex and multifaceted risks facing Germany's energy supply. While the country has managed to avoid an energy crisis this winter, the next heating season poses significant challenges, including the risk of a gas shortage and the impact of household behavior and the absence of Russian energy supplies. The situation underscores the need for Germany and the EU to continue to invest in alternative energy sources and to work towards greater energy independence and security.
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