German regulator continues to warn about uncertainty over securing gas supplies next winter

Germany’s Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) continues to warn about uncertainty over securing natural gas supplies next winter. In its regular report on the situation on Friday, it said that preparing for the next winter season remains a key challenge.

BNetzA continues to push for gas consumption to be reduced by at least 20% compared with the long-term average. This is a higher target than the 15% agreed at EU level. Germany set a higher target in particular because the halt to Russian gas supplies has a major impact on the country.

A number of German gas suppliers were forced to buy expensive gas on the open market to replace the shortfall in Russian supplies. One example is Uniper, one of Europe’s largest energy companies, which ultimately had to be rescued through nationalisation, despite a €50 billion financial injection from the German state.

Germany’s strict gas consumption reduction targets, EU requirements for filling storage facilities, the rapid commissioning of floating LNG terminals and a mild winter helped the country get through the past winter season without having to restrict gas supplies.