Today it has been circled in red on the agendas of European governments and (energy) companies for weeks. Nord Stream 1, Russia’s main gas supply to Germany, was scheduled to be shut down for ten days due to annual maintenance and ended today.
If the gas tap was not open, it would be very difficult to replenish the gas supply for the winter.
40 percent
The good news is that the throttle is opening again. According to Nord Stream’s own data, about as much gas goes through the pipes as annual maintenance. At that time, the gas supply was already limited to 40% of the normal amount.
Russia has the option to cut off the gas, which will only make the gas crisis worse than it already is. The consequences of this situation are difficult to predict.
restock
That is not necessarily the worst, says Hans van Cleef, energy expert at ABN Amro. “Eventually — before supplies run out — it won’t stand or fall one day.” But if supplies slow down for a longer period of time, the problems get worse.
Without Russian gas, or much less, it will be even more difficult to fill it for the winter. According to Van Cleef, concentration must then be done (further) in two ways: 1: Obtain more gas from elsewhere, for example in the form of liquefied gas (LNG). 2: use less gas.
Phase 2 of the gas crisis plan in Germany is currently in effect. The most important measure is that gas companies are allowed to charge higher prices to companies in order to reduce demand.
We are not that far in the Netherlands yet, we are in “only” phase 1 of the gas crisis. All measures to reduce consumption remain voluntary. Minister of Energy and Climate Rob Jetten is working on more compelling measures to help companies save money.
years of famine
But even if this is the case and we go into the winter with enough gas, it will still be difficult to have enough gas in the winter months. ABN Amro predicts gas shortages in the winter of 2025-2026. And so prices will remain high in the coming years.
In the video below, journalist Maarten Veeger explains which steps we are taking to give enough gas this winter.
Source: RTL
Smith Charles is a talented entertainment journalist and author at The Nation View. He has a passion for all things entertainment and writes about the latest movies, TV shows, music, and celebrity news. He’s known for his in-depth interviews with actors, musicians, and other industry figures, and his ability to provide unique perspectives on the entertainment industry.
