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Gas flame: "There could well be gas shortages in the region," explains the Federal Network Agency
Photo: Marijan Murat / dpa
The CSU in the Bundestag has called on the federal government made up of SPD, Greens and FDP to prevent individual regions from being disadvantaged in terms of gas supply this winter.
"The Federal Network Agency makes it clear that it wants to disadvantage the south and east of Germany in energy distribution," said CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt of the dpa news agency.
This is not acceptable.
The president of the network agency, Klaus Müller, had previously said in an interview with “T-online” that a nationwide gas shortage does not necessarily have to occur, but: “There could definitely be gas shortages regionally.
The restrictions would probably be temporary at first and could end again or occur several times.
In this case, we have to ensure that we can transport the gas safely across the country,” he added.
Dobrindt now called for the federal government to clarify what the statement by the Federal Network Agency was supposed to mean in concrete terms.
You must also "ensure that these obviously prepared regional disadvantages are stopped immediately".
CSU politicians have feared disadvantages in the energy supply for a long time and accuse the federal government of wanting to weaken Bavaria in this way.
Appeal to save gas
Meanwhile, Netzagentur boss Müller has called on citizens to urgently save more gas, despite the progress made in filling German gas storage facilities.
One cannot rely solely on the memory, said Müller on Thursday evening in the ZDF program "Maybrit Illner".
"These alone wouldn't get us through a winter if it gets particularly cold or if Putin should turn off the gas completely," emphasized Müller.
The gas storage tanks are currently almost 78 percent full.
According to the regulation, it should be at least 75 percent on September 1st, at least 85 percent on October 1st and at least 95 percent on November 1st.
Müller compared storage to inflating a bicycle tire.
The first percent are the easiest.
Reaching 85 and 95 percent is physically more strenuous.
You can only manage the winter well with a triad, warned Müller:
In addition to storage, these are
procurement from additional gas sources
and savings.
You will have to save at least 20 percent across all sectors.
"Then we'll get through the next few months without a shortage - with a bit of luck if the winter stays normal." At the same time, Müller made it clear that you have to survive at least two winters in order to become independent of Russian gas afterwards.
The head of the authorities reminded that according to the clear European legal situation, private households enjoy a special protection status in the event of a gas shortage, similar to hospitals, schools, the police and similar institutions.
Nevertheless, he urged private households to save.
Every kilowatt hour saved on gas also helps to avoid reductions or even shutdowns in industry.
In this context, Müller spoke of “solidarity with the jobs”.
Electricity is also becoming more expensive
However, the gas supply is not the only problem.
According to comparison portals, electricity for private households is also becoming significantly more expensive.
According to its own information, the Verivox portal counted 123 price increases for basic suppliers in August, September and October, with an average increase of
25 percent
.
For a three-person household with a consumption of 4000 kilowatt hours, this means additional costs of
311 euros
per year on average.
Competitor Check24 had previously reported a price increase of
47.4 percent
in September.
"In view of the high wholesale prices, we expect numerous electricity price increases in the coming months, which will represent an additional burden for households," said Verivox energy expert Thorsten Storck.
The average electricity price in the coming year could be
45 cents per kilowatt hour
and more.
According to Verivox, it is currently around 42 cents.