Germany filled gas storage facilities by 75% ahead of schedule
Earlier, the German authorities adopted requirements according to which underground gas storage facilities must be filled up to 75% by September 1,up to 85% by October 1 and up to 95% by November 1
Underground gas storage facilities (UGS) in Germany are 75% full as of mid-August, Klaus Müller, HEAD of the Federal Network Agency (BNA), said on Twitter.
The German authorities have previously adopted requirements according to which underground gas storage facilities must be filled up to 75% by September 1, up to 85% by October 1 and up to 95% by November 1. “The goal of the first stage has been achieved. <...> The next target is 85% by October 1,” Muller wrote.
At the same time, in an interview with the Financial Times, Muller said that Germany should cut gas consumption by 20% to avoid energy restrictions in the coming winter.
In Germany, public buildings will be heated up to 19 degrees
On August 5, the EU approved a voluntary reduction in fuel consumption of 15% this winter. The purpose of this measure is to save gas for this winter in order to prepare for possible interruptions in supplies from RUSSIA, which uses energy carriers "as a weapon," the EU explained.
EU member states have agreed to cut their gas consumption by 15% compared to the averages over the past five years from August 1 to March 31, 2023. In this regard, the Minister of Economics of Germany, Robert Habeck, announced on August 12 that in the coming autumn and winter, public buildings in Germany would be heated to a temperature of 19 degrees, instead of the usual 22.
See also EU and Britain disagree on sanctions against Russian energy carriers 00:45
The head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, said at the end of July that Russia "deliberately cut off" supplies to 12 EU countries (she did not specify which countries). She blamed the energy crisis on Moscow and urged EU countries to prepare for the worst this winter.
The Kremlin, responding to Germany's fears that Russia would cut off gas, previously stated that Moscow "is very, very careful about its reputation, the reputation of a responsible supplier." The Russian side connects the situation with pumping with sanctions.