'Not filled well enough if Russia halts gas supply': German Federal Network Agency head

president of German Federal Network ncy (Bundesnetzntur) has said that Germany's gas stor facilities "t filled well eugh" in case Russia halts gas supplies. Klaus Muller, he of German Network ncy, said that y have been filling up higher compared to previous years but t "well eugh" if Russia stops or supplies less gas to Berlin in a short term, Deutschlandfunk reported. He welcomed Germany's decision to create floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. 

Klaus Muller described LNG as a "transitional techlogy" and ded that first floating systems are set to operate in Wilhelmshaven in 2022 and Brunsbuttel at beginning of 2023. He said that if Germany's gas stor facilities were filled to 90%, country would possess a "buffer" for around two and a half months under stable conditions and rmal winter. He called it a "a very good prerequisite" for industry and consumers of gas, as per Deutschlandfunk report.

In response to a question about filling gas, Klaus Muller stressed that Germany needs to follow Gas Stor act and gas companies need to follow obligations. He underscored that y will have two floating terminals in winter and stressed that y can make se efforts at present. He ded that y need to cooperate with ir colleagues in Belgium and Holland in order to fill gas stor facilities and will diversify supply of gas in future. 

Germany's gas dependency on Russia

Before Russian military offensive in Ukraine, Germany was dependent on Moscow for 55% of its natural gas needs, New York Times reported. Following Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Germany has reduced its reliance on Russia to 35% by cancelling some contracts and importing more liquified natural gas from or nations. It is to mention here that ever since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU nations have imposed sanctions against Moscow.

So far, European nations have anunced five packs of sanctions against Russia and are considering sixth pack, which is targeting three Russian banks and embargo on Russian oil. Meanwhile, Russian President Vlimir Putin anunced that "unfriendly countries" need to pay for importing Russian gas in rubles.

Im: AP/Twitter/@Klaus_Mueller