Germany close to gas rationing as it activates emergency fuel plan
Germany moved closer to gas rationing on Wednesday, after activating an emergency plan designed to help it cope with any disruption in supplies from Russia.
Amid fears of a looming showdown with Vladimir Putin over gas flows, Germany’s economy minister, Robert Habeck, convened a crisis team and warned consumers and businesses to reduce consumption, telling them “every kilowatt hour counts”.
Europe’s largest economy is also one of the EU members most reliant on supplies from Kremlin-controlled reserves, making it particularly vulnerable if the taps are turned off.
The European Union has pledged to slash its use of Russian gas by two-thirds before the end of the year but there are concerns that the Kremlin could pre-empt the plan.
Putin has demanded that Europe and the US pay for gas exports in roubles, a retaliation against the west for imposing crippling sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
The rejection by G7 nations of his demand has created an impasse that has put Europe on alert for a gas supply crunch.
Habeck said he had activated the “early warning phase” of an existing gas emergency plan, meaning that a crisis team from the economics ministry, regulatory officials and the private sector will monitor imports and storage.
“We must increase precautionary measures to be prepared for an escalation on the part of Russia,” said Habeck. “With the declaration of the early warning level, a crisis team has convened.”
Habeck said supplies were safeguarded for the time being but urged consumers and companies to reduce consumption, saying that “every kilowatt hour counts”.
If supplies fall short, Germany’s network regulator can ration gas, with industry being first in line for cuts. That threatens to send shockwaves through
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