If Germany manages to fill 95 percent of its gas storage by November, those volumes will only be enough for two and a half months of heating and industrial consumption in the event of a complete interruption of gas supplies from Russia, said Klaus Müller, head of the Federal Grid Agency (BNetzA). ). His words are quoted by Bloomberg on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

The coffers are currently 77% full, two weeks ahead of schedule, Mueller said. “We’re a little faster than before in terms of filling the storage, but that’s not a sign that we can relax. On the contrary, it should be understood as a push,” she said.

With the risk of a colder-than-usual autumn and the possibility of further supply disruptions, the government’s target of 85% storage capacity by October could be a challenge, warned Mueller. The target of 95% by November seems “illusory” to achieve, he said, as some stores take longer to fill.

“I cannot promise that all storage facilities in Germany will be 95% full in November, even with good supply and demand conditions. At best, three-quarters of them will reach the target,” said Muller.

Deliveries via Nord Stream reduced by 20%

Gas deliveries from Russia to Germany via the Nord Stream pipeline currently represent only about 20% of capacity, Bloomberg recalls. In Moscow, this drop is explained by the lack of a turbine, which was repaired in Canada in June and has been in Germany since the middle of last month, waiting to be sent to Russia. Turbine maker Siemens Energy denies these claims and insists the turbine is ready for use.

Official Berlin calls the reduction in gas supplies blackmail by Moscow. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated in early August that Russia was using far-fetched pretexts to cut off supplies in breach of contract. “Obviously, nothing, absolutely nothing prevents the transport and connection of this turbine in Russia,” he pointed out.

Germans will start paying more for gas from October

Due to reduced supply and the need for savings, from October 2022 gas surcharges of 2,419 US cents per kWh will be introduced for all gas consumers in Germany. Tariffs will increase for both households and industry.

A family living in a single house with an annual energy consumption of 20,000 kWh will have to pay an additional 484 euros per year. According to the Institute of German Economics in Cologne (IW), additional costs for one family per person with a floor area of ​​60 m². m. will be around 203 euros per year.