The head of the German regulator called on EU countries to save gas to stabilize prices

The head of the Federal Grid Agency (German regulator) Klaus Müller welcomed the EU plan to voluntarily reduce gas demand by 15% that came into force and called on all European countries to save gas in order to stabilize the situation with supplies and energy prices, informed he is in an interview with the German TV channel ZDF.

“If all European countries save on gas, this can stabilize the price, maybe even lower it, and provide enough gas for autumn and winter,” Muller said.

He noted that now gas consumption in Germany has decreased by 14% compared to the same period last year. According to Muller, this is due, among other things, to “very warm summers.” Earlier, the German regulator announced the need to reduce gas consumption in Germany by at least 20% in order to cope with the cold in autumn and winter.

The gas consumption reduction plan provides that all EU countries will voluntarily reduce gas consumption by 15% between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. If the European Commission announces a “nationwide alert”, the EU countries that do not have the right to an exception will have to reduce gas consumption by force, and the saved gas volumes will be sent to the European market. The plan was agreed upon by a majority vote at a meeting of energy ministers at the end of July, but it was accepted with a large number of exceptions. In particular, countries that are less dependent on Russian gas, such as Spain and Portugal, will be able to reduce gas consumption by only 7%, not 15%.

Now many European countries have already begun to work out options for saving gas. So, at the end of July in Hannover, they reported turning off hot water in the showers of gyms and swimming pools, as well as turning off fountains, highlighting historical and administrative buildings. In addition, the restrictions under the plan involve maintaining the temperature in residential premises no higher than 20 degrees, in warehouses and technical rooms – no more than 10-15. The Berlin authorities have also proposed turning off the illumination of public buildings, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Red Town Hall (the building of the Berlin Senate), after midnight to save energy.

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