Federal government calls the alarm level of the gas emergency plan

Created: 06/23/2022Updated: 06/23/2022, 10:30 am

"It's an external shock": Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck.

© Michael Kappeler/dpa

Federal Minister of Economics Habeck draws the conclusion from the reduced gas supplies from Russia and calls the alarm level in the gas emergency plan.

This gives the authorities more opportunities to intervene.

Berlin - In view of the significantly reduced gas supplies from Russia, the federal government has declared the alarm level of the gas emergency plan.

"Currently, the security of supply is guaranteed, but the situation is tense," said the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The emergency plan has three levels: The alarm level now declared is the second.

The third would be the emergency level.

According to the plan, the alert level indicates a gas supply disruption or exceptionally high demand for gas, leading to a significant deterioration in the gas supply situation.

However, the market is still able to handle this disruption or demand.

Utility companies should not yet be given the opportunity to increase their gas prices under the Energy Security Act.

Two requirements must be met for this: On the one hand, the alert level or emergency level must have been declared.

On the other hand, the Federal Network Agency must have determined a “considerable reduction in the total gas import volumes to Germany” on this basis.

This determination must be published in the Federal Gazette.

Only then are companies allowed to raise prices to a “reasonable level”.

Habeck said on Thursday: "Prices are already high and we have to brace ourselves for further increases." This will affect industrial production and become a major burden for many consumers.

"It's an external shock." He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of an "economic attack."

dpa