Germany unveils new measures to cut usage of natural gas – POLITICO

Germany on Sunday introduced it could cut back gas consumption and retailer as a lot natural gas as doable with a new set of measures, together with an elevated use of coal energy crops.

“We will cut back gas consumption within the electrical energy sector and business and push the filling of storage amenities. Depending on the state of affairs, we are going to take additional measures,” German Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said in a press release, which outlines a new “set of instruments” to face the emergency.

“Security of provide is at the moment assured, however the state of affairs is severe,” Habeck stated. 

The announcement comes as Russia is cutting gas provides to a number of EU nations.

Germany will notably use much less gas for producing electrical energy, changing it with power produced by coal crops. “That means, to be trustworthy, extra coal-fired energy crops for a transitional interval. That’s bitter, but it surely’s nearly needed on this state of affairs to cut back gas consumption,” Habeck, from the Greens, famous. Existing coal crops will likely be upgraded to briefly compensate the decline of power manufacturing from gas-fired crops.

Other measures embrace a “gas public sale mannequin” to encourage industries to save gas. The scheme — set to be launched this summer season — will reward firms that cut back gas consumption in bottleneck conditions.

Russia’s Gazprom on Wednesday announced a discount in gas provides via the Nord Stream pipeline to 67 million cubic meters per day from 167 million cubic meters a day. Habeck known as the transfer a “political choice.” 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was in Kyiv on Thursday alongside France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Mario Draghi to present assist for Ukraine.