The head of the network agency, Klaus Muller, is of the opinion that industry and families should save more. In a weekend interview, he explained: „Germany needs a moment to shake it up.”

MUNICH – Fear of gas shortages has driven stock prices on the stock exchange to a record high of around 250 euros per megawatt-hour. At the same time French power generation collapsed – And winter is coming. If there is an emergency, Federal Network Agency chief Klaus Muller will take the lead. In an interview with Merkur.de from IPPEN.MEDIA The president of what is likely to be the most important authority at the moment explains whether Germany will survive the winter – and what consumers need to prepare for right now.

Mr. Muller, only 20 per cent of use is in Nord Stream 1, but 80 times that of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via Belgian terminals. Can we get past winter?

We calculated different scenarios. With an average winter and 20 percent of deliveries from Russia, we would need to provide at least 20 percent across all regions and an additional 10 to 15 GWh of gas flows to survive the winter. Not impossible. In addition to the four floating LNG terminals leased by the federal government, there are a number of private initiatives. There are also good talks with France. If we can do all that, we have a chance to get through this winter and next winter. If we don’t succeed, it can be difficult.

What about other neighboring countries?

Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands have provided great assistance to Germany over the past few months, and I strongly advocate the fulfillment of our European solidarity commitments. We have a European gas market in which Germany occupies a special place due to its geographical location. That’s why we have a great interest in being able to move forward in this market.

What if Russia stopped supplying gas at all?

We will need to provide more savings or gas flows beyond our already difficult assumptions – and both will be really difficult. Or Peter should come to our rescue with a milder winter. However, nothing will help us to close storage too deeply because we also have to think about the winter of 2023/2024.

Gas crisis: LNG trade heading towards Europe and Germany

European gas prices have increased tenfold even for futures contracts – but is there enough LNG in the global market?

we see That the international trade of liquefied natural gas has taken a completely different direction. For years, ships went primarily to Asia. Because of the prices, deliveries now go to Europe and Germany. If we look into the future three to four years, we see that there are many initiatives in the USA and Canada to export more LNG. To be honest, it must be said that a lot of it is cracking gas. New resources are also being exploited in Africa and the Arab world. But this is a matter of years. But now we have to see how we can go beyond what we can get over the next 24 months.

In July alone, German gas-fired power plants converted four billion kilowatt-hours of gas into electricity, an annual requirement of 200,000 families of four. Shouldn’t we stop this?

We need a certain amount of gas electricity generation to keep the grids stable, and some of them generate heating power for apartment buildings, so they’re especially protected. Anything beyond that is a sore point, but it can be interpreted: France has succeeded Defects in nuclear power plants Big problems with the power supply. That is why prices are so high there that it is worthwhile for German power plants to generate electricity from gas, despite the high costs. This is true from the point of view of neighborly relations – but in terms of gas supplies, this is not a good development. Therefore, coal-fired power plants must be connected to the grid again instead. Ordinances are issued step by step and materials are stored so that the power stations are ready for use. This has already happened with hard coal, and lignite will come in the fall.

The energy crisis: „There are companies that understand that it is a solidarity action”

Next to Uniper Some other companies, such as OMV, have applied to be included in the tax to replace Russian gas supplies. Does this mean higher allocation costs in January?

There are specific dates companies can place their orders, which means we know how much gas has failed in total. What we don’t know is how replacement prices will develop. It depends on whether the contribution, which is recalculated every three or six months, decreases or increases.

Companies like Austria’s OMV are gaining a lot from the energy crunch, doubling their profits in the first half of the year. How do we prevent payers from financing corporate profits?

The tax law was intended to prevent Uniper from going bankrupt, as that would have wiped out hundreds of municipal utilities and their customers. However, the Uniper rule only was not possible under the principle of equal treatment, which is why all companies with failed deliveries have a legal claim. There are companies that have realized that it is an act of solidarity to waive tax without needing it – it can be a role model for others.

However, in the future we have to expect gas customers to fund the Group’s profits with the current tax structure – because the solvent company can meet its delivery obligations. This ignites?

The question of justice is a political debate, and the Federal Network Agency has no mandate.

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Gas Crisis: Electric heating is less efficient and more expensive than gas

Let’s move on to electricity: experts warn of blackouts due to massive sales of fan heaters.

Electric heating is many times ineffective, and therefore much more expensive than gas. That is why the purchases can only be explained by the concern that we will run out of gas in the winter. However, families are especially protected – and I’m optimistic that they can be looked after this winter and next. If the fan heaters are not connected to the mains, they will not cause any problems.

France hopes to restart its power plants over the winter – what about the rest of the world?

Of course, the situation can only be viewed from a European perspective. The second stress test will show our position, the results of which are expected in a few weeks.

Households expect terrible additional costs – as consumers defend: Where is the line between a price signal and an existential threat?

There will be people who are angry with the prices but they can handle it. But we write every day People who can no longer afford it. The reduction in value-added tax is a first step, the federal government has also announced more targeted measures that will be outlined in the next few weeks.

Energy Crunch: “The price signal that is already on the way is very strong and harsh.”

Economists criticize the VAT cut as paradoxicalFirst, the state makes it more expensive, then it becomes cheaper in all areas. How do we encourage people to save without burdening them?

A price signal that is already on the way and will be hitting many people’s mailboxes in the next few weeks is a very strong and challenging signal. We are now seeing significant savings in the industry – we will have to wait and see the heating season in private homes. The reduction in value-added tax is only a first step: I clearly understood that the federal government meant that the third exemption package would be directed specifically to those in need.

On the subject of price signals: more than 20 cents for gas and more than 50 cents for electricity on the exchanges – will consumer prices reach this level?

It depends on the supplier contract groups and their market power – another reason to save Uniper, because it has many small customers. Exchange rates have plummeted due to other price components, but many customers already feel gas prices have tripled – and I can’t rule out the possibility of more.

They also warned of the coming two winters. What are your expectations for the next few years?

When it comes to prices, you can only look at a crystal ball. We can see that more supplies are being created around the world, but no one can say how that will affect prices. But what we’re counting on is how much we’re using storage this winter. Emptying the stores completely by next spring would certainly be very short-sighted. We also have to get through the winter of 2023/2024. Robert Habeck assumes that we can then be independent of Russian gas in the summer of 2024 – which is the goal for now.

Do you share Habek’s point of view?

I think it’s up to us, it depends on whether Germany is shocked. I see that the construction of the first two LNG plants has begun in Brunsbüttel and Wilhelmshaven, we see a lot of people in the energy companies and authorities who are doing their best to improve our supply, we see savings efforts in the industry and in private households there is a huge demand for advice on energy savings. This gives me hope that we are not powerless – but that everyone should participate.