Federal Network Agency: Gas consumption is increasing too much - "The situation can become very serious"

Created: 06/10/2022, 15:52

By: Lisa Mayerhofer

Despite the energy crisis, gas consumption in private households has risen significantly compared to previous years.

The Federal Network Agency sees the development with concern.

Bonn – The astronomical energy costs and appeals by the federal government to save gas are apparently not yet having an effect on many consumers.

The autumn, which has been cool so far, will have done the rest.

The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, now warned in Bonn: "Gas consumption increased too much last week."

Gas consumption above the level of previous years

According to the figures from the supervisory authority, the gas consumption of private households and smaller commercial customers in the 39th calendar week was 618 gigawatt hours, almost 10 percent above the average consumption level for the years 2018 to 2021. According to the Federal Network Agency, the consumption of industrial customers last week was 1370 Gigawatt hours are only a good two percent below the level of previous years.

Private households and smaller commercial customers are responsible for around 40 percent of gas consumption in Germany.

The remaining 60 percent are accounted for by large industrial customers.

Müller: Without savings, there is a risk of a gas emergency

Germany will hardly be able to avoid a gas emergency in winter without at least 20 percent savings in the private, commercial and industrial sectors, emphasized Müller.

"The situation can become very serious if we don't significantly reduce our gas consumption."

Only on Monday did the German Association of Cities call for greater efforts to save energy.

"I'm worried about how much gas consumption has increased in private households," said City Day President Markus Lewe (CDU) to the newspapers of the Funke media group.

“We all have to limit ourselves even more – wherever we use energy.

And it's the small things that can make a big difference: forgoing comfort, especially when it comes to heating, is worth a lot."