German gas shortage may prevent exports to Europe

(EurActiv, 24 Jun 2022) Germany’s gas supply is running at alert level with government predictions suggesting a tough winter ahead, leading to an even tougher choice- keep supplying European countries or keep gas for citizens.

ussia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom reduced flows through Nord Stream 1 to 40% of the sticker capacity. With the pipeline scheduled for maintenance in July, there are fears in Berlin and the industry that gas flows might not resume afterwards, putting Germany in a real bind.

Avoiding a gas shortage “is only possible under the assumption that we do not send gas from our stores to neighbouring European countries,” explained Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice-chancellor, on Thursday.

If flows through Nord Stream 1 remain at 40% and Germany continues the level of its exports to European neighbours, the country would face a gas shortage at the beginning of February 2023, the federal network agency predicts.

Nineteen Terawatt hours (TWh) of gas would be missing unless 20% of gas savings and significant liquefied natural gas import capacity worth 13 bcm could be built up.

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EurActiv, 24 Jun 2022: German gas shortage may prevent exports to Europe