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German Economic Ministry refuses to justify 8 TWh gas order
German Economic Minister Katherina Reiche has ordered the state-owned energy company Sefe to procure an additional 8 terawatt-hours of gas to bolster winter storage levels. However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has declined to provide a specific justification for this exact quantity.
State Secretary Frank Wetzel stated that the decision resulted from a balancing act between ensuring supply security and preventing market distortion. This lack of specific reasoning drew criticism from Green Party politician Michael Kellner, who suggested the decision appeared arbitrary.
According to the Federal Network Agency, current gas storage levels are at 59.4 percent, which is notably lower than in previous years. While the agency does not currently foresee an acute risk to winter supply due to stable imports, Kellner noted that the additional 8 terawatt-hours represent only about 3 percent of total capacity and will not be enough to meet the mandatory storage targets set for November 1.
Entities
Federal Network Agency · Frank Wetzel · Katherina Reiche · Michael Kellner · SEFE
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The state-owned energy company Sefe has been ordered to procure an additional 8 terawatt-hours of gas. www.n-tv.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Minister Katherina Reiche appears to be rolling dice regarding the specific gas quantity ordered. www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de · www.n-tv.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gas storage levels are currently at 59.4 percent, which is significantly lower than in previous years. www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de · www.n-tv.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The decision to order additional gas storage was a balance between supply security and market distortion. www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de · www.n-tv.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The ordered 8 terawatt-hours of gas is insufficient to reach the required storage targets by November 1. www.berliner-sonntagsblatt.de · www.oldenburger-onlinezeitung.de