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In the future, the Federal Network Agency will have to approve the closure of gas storage facilities
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In view of the massive consequences of the war in Ukraine for energy security, the federal government has initiated a strengthening of state control options.
In a written circular procedure, the Federal Cabinet decided on an amendment to the Energy Security Act, which dates back to 1975, as announced by the Federal Ministry of Economics in Berlin.
In the event of a crisis, companies that operate critical energy infrastructure should be able to be placed under state administration in trust.
In extreme cases, expropriation is also possible.
The law already provided for this, but the possibility should now be made clearer.
The draft has been approved as a so-called formulation aid and is to be introduced to the Bundestag via the parliamentary groups of the governing coalition in a next step.
Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) explained that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law, has led to a tense energy situation.
“Prices are high, uncertainty is high, and there are risks.
We therefore have to prepare for the situation getting worse.« Therefore, the instruments would be sharpened again significantly.
“This allows us to strengthen crisis prevention and act quickly and comprehensively.
It's about doing whatever it takes to keep basic supplies going.”
The Energy Security Act originally dates from the time of the first oil crisis in the 1970s and is now undergoing a comprehensive update, according to the ministry.
In the event of an immediate threat or disruption to the energy supply, the federal government and the authorities should be given far-reaching options for crisis management and then be able to use them by way of ordinances.
The »ultima ratio«
This includes the fact that companies that operate critical energy infrastructure can be put under trusteeship if necessary - "if they are no longer performing their tasks adequately and there is a risk of the security of supply being impaired," the ministry explained.
»As a last resort, expropriation is also possible under clearly defined and strict conditions if the security of the energy supply cannot be guaranteed in any other way.«
According to the ministry, changes in the Energy Industry Act are also part of the amendment and are also intended to strengthen crisis prevention.
In the future, the decommissioning of gas storage facilities must be reported and approved by the Federal Network Agency.
This is intended to prevent gas storage facilities from being shut down without the knowledge of the network agency and the federal government, thereby jeopardizing the energy supply.
Earlier this year, ahead of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, low levels in gas storage facilities in Germany operated by subsidiaries of Russian state-owned Gazprom caused a stir.
Among other things, the boss of the energy company RWE, Markus Krebber, had therefore called for state intervention for more security of supply.
hba/dpa/AFP