German energy industry allays supply fears for coming winter – media
Die Zeit
Germany’s energy industry representatives don’t expect threatening bottlenecks in energy supply during the coming winter, newspaper Die Zeit reports. “The next winter is similarly challenging as the last one,” said Tennet board member Tim Meyerjürgens at a summit by the transmission system operator (TSO). “But, unlike last year, we are much better prepared,” he added, pointing that gas storage facilities are well filled (93% on 20 August) and additional capacities have been built. Hanover-based utility Enercity has also prepared for possible bottlenecks, with head Susanna Zapreva saying that, even if clear contingency plans exist, “this is a situation that I do not expect,” Zeit reports.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing energy crisis brought uncertainty to Germany’s energy supply security. Households and industrial customers in the country significantly reduced their energy consumption in the winter of 2022/2023, helping to avert a much-feared supply shortage. While Germany quickly found new sources for natural gas after imports from Russia fell away, and efficiency and saving measures further contributed to avoiding a shortage, comparatively mild weather in early 2023 was a decisive factor in why the country’s energy security was not compromised during the previous winter.
