By Gunnar Schupelius
The supply of electricity and heat is in serious jeopardy. But the Giffey Senate doesn’t seem to understand the magnitude of the crisis. We are ruled by dream dancers, says Gunnar Schupelius.
Natural gas is not just about to become scarce, it is already scarce. The supply of heat and electrical energy is in acute danger. The worst is feared for the coming winter. Berlin is particularly dependent on natural gas.
The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, fears a total failure of Russian gas supplies in the near future. Federal Minister of Economics Habeck (Greens) even expects a “blockade of Nord Stream 1” at the end of July.
His ministry seriously recommends that municipalities purchase emergency power generators and bunker diesel oil for these devices so that they can run 72 hours at a time.
Hamburg’s Senator for the Environment, Kerstan (Greens), has announced that the amount of hot water for private households will be limited in the probable event of a gas emergency. The district heating would be rationed, the heaters would only run by the hour.
In Brandenburg, Prime Minister Woidke (SPD) tirelessly warns of the end of the Schwedt refinery, because then diesel and petrol would also fail.
The refinery in Schwedt Photo: ppl;cse; fox
Everyone warns and fears, only in Berlin nothing moves. The Red Town Hall is staunchly silent. Isn’t the energy crisis a matter for the boss?
No, actually not. The Governing Mayor Giffey (SPD) leaves the field to her Economics Senator Schwarz (independent). He, in turn, is hiding behind the federal authorities. When we asked how the catastrophe should be averted, he gave this answer: “Everyone involved is working intensively to secure the gas supply through all available measures (…).”
One has the strong impression that the Giffey Senate is unaware of the seriousness of the situation. This seriousness looks like this: If Russia were to stop gas supplies in July, gas prices would skyrocket. In order to protect utilities from bankruptcy, the government will allow “price adjustment”, which means that rising gas prices can be passed on to consumers in current contracts.
Then many Berlin households will no longer be able to pay their gas bills and district heating, which is also largely generated in gas-fired power plants.
When the heating season begins and there is not enough gas available overall, it has to be rationed. That is as clear as day and the Hamburg senator has already promised it.
And there is another problem: if the room temperature drops, many households will switch on the electric fan heater, but then the power supply collapses.
So where is the emergency plan for Berlin? Does it exist and what is planned? How should people take care? How are they helped in an emergency? How is the civil protection set up? Madam Governing Mayor, give an answer!
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]
