Gas consumption in Germany rose above the annual average

BERLIN, Sep 29 – PRIME. The level of gas consumption in Germany rose last week well above the average annual level, said the head of the Federal Grid Agency Klaus Müller on Thursday.

“Gas consumption by households and businesses over the past week has significantly exceeded the average consumption of previous years. The figures for this week are very sobering. Without savings in the private sector, it will also be difficult to avoid gas shortages in winter,” Muller said, citing the press service of the regulator.

According to the head of the agency, given the high level of occupancy of storage facilities in Germany, the country can “survive the winter” under three conditions: firstly, “the initiated projects to increase gas imports must be implemented.” Second, gas supplies to Germany’s neighbors should also “remain stable.” And third, “gas needs to be saved, even if it gets even colder by winter,” Muller said.

According to the agency, last week the level of gas consumption by enterprises and households in Germany rose to 483 GWh/week. The average level from 2018 to 2021 is 422 GWh/week, thus an increase of 14.5%. It is reported that cold weather settled in Germany last week, the thermometer fell lower than in the same period in the past four years. The Federal Grid Agency proceeds from the fact that in order to avoid a shortage of gas in winter, it is necessary to reduce consumption by 20%.