Bald beginnt die Heizperiode: Behörde: Gasspeicher könnten schon jetzt für Winter reichen
Der Herbst naht, bald brauchen Millionen Haushalte wieder viel mehr Gas für ihre Heizung. Doch Deutschlands Gasspeicher sind nicht allzu voll. Die Bundesnetzagentur teilt die Bedenken nicht.
Bundesnetzagentur officials have raised concerns that Germany's gas storage facilities may not be sufficient to meet winter heating demands. Klaus Müller, the agency's chief executive, stated that they currently have more gas stored than they took out during the entire previous half-year. There is still time for additional storage before winter begins.
As of now, storage capacity stands at over 136 Terawatt hours, representing nearly 55 percent of their total capacity. In the last winter, roughly 134 Terawatt hours were withdrawn from storage, which is lower compared to previous years. Low storage levels have raised concerns that the stored gas might not be enough until spring.
State-ordered purchases have been discussed, but they could be costly. Coastal gas terminals could provide a solution by importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) quickly from the world market, as there are now LNG terminals along Germany's coast. Müller also mentioned the possibility of LNG imports, noting that the LNG terminals currently operate at about 45 percent capacity, providing ample space for additional imports.
The Federal Ministry of Economics agrees with Müller that the market should handle the filling of gas storage facilities, as they are responsible for fulfilling delivery commitments to municipal utilities and industrial companies through pipeline deliveries, LNG imports, or storage. State interventions would be expensive, according to Müller.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
