By Gunnar Schupelius
Do private households and industrial companies have to reckon with failures? Probably yes, because even “protected” gas customers are apparently no longer protected. There is no exact information, the confusion could not be greater, says Gunnar Schupelius.
Things are getting serious, the temperatures are falling and the heating season is beginning. It is high time to ask whether there is enough natural gas and hard coal for the winter so that sufficient electricity and district heating can be produced.
The Swedish state-owned company Vattenfall is still responsible for supplying Berlin. Our detailed questions were answered evasively.
Two examples, first: Does Vattenfall expect a gas shortage next winter? Answer: “The security of supply in Germany is currently guaranteed.” The question about the coming winter is not answered.
Secondly, are there plans to cut back supply in the event of a gas shortage? Answer: “It is important that energy suppliers, gas network operators and authorities (…) coordinate closely and prepare the necessary processes for a crisis. Ultimately, however, decisions about possible quotas for natural gas are a task for politicians.”
Vattenfall therefore gives no guarantee in the event of a crisis. That sounded very different in the spring. Economic Senator Stephan Schwarz said that the supply of private gas customers was “protected by law”.
Vattenfall speaks of the “politics” that would have to limit the gas. This means the Federal Network Agency, a subordinate authority of the Federal Ministry of Economics.
The Federal Network Agency announced on September 6 that even legally protected gas customers are no longer protected. Literally it says: “The Federal Network Agency cannot rule out the possibility that, in the event of a gas shortage, instructions will also be given to protected customers to reduce gas purchases.”
Now you would like to know who should reduce their gas purchases. But this list does not exist yet, the Federal Network Agency is working on it. It identifies “vital needs”. Where the use of gas is not vital, it is throttled.
That comes as a surprise. So far, the federal government’s “gas emergency plan” has said: “The Federal Network Agency is not preparing any abstract shutdown sequences.” Well, yes.
Meanwhile, Vattenfall is using the last two coal-fired power plants in Berlin. They should run at full capacity: “As a precaution, we have increased our hard coal reserves compared to the previous year.”
But even that doesn’t get you very far, because the two coal-fired power plants Reuter West and Moabit only contribute to a third of the electricity supply and provide only a quarter of the district heating. The lion’s share lies with the gas-fired power plants.
The confusion couldn’t be greater. Vattenfall does not know if there will be enough gas and the Bundesnetzagentur only knows that protected gas customers are no longer protected. Well, let’s hope for a mild winter!
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]