Dusseldorf The atrocities in the Kiev suburb of Bucha have caused horror around the world and increased pressure on Germany to stop energy imports from Russia. The EU is planning a new sanctions package that includes, among other things, an import ban on Russian coal.
In the new episode of “Handelsblatt Today”, Ingrid Nestle and Michael Kruse, the energy policy spokesmen for the Greens and the FDP, advocate a level-headed approach – and a gradual exit. The traffic light coalition partners agree that an immediate halt to the supply of Russian gas would have serious consequences for the German economy.
“We would run the risk of cutting off the German economy so much from the gas supply that we would no longer be able to produce exactly the things we need to become independent from Russia,” says Nestle. She cites renewable energy systems and insulating materials as examples.
FDP energy politician Kruse, however, believes a three-stage process is possible: “We can get out of oil within a few weeks because we have a liquid world market and only have to replace a small part from Russia.”
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Many processes have already been initiated for coal that should enable an exit, but it could take three to four months here. And when it comes to gas, it will take the longest to become independent from Russia. “The main thing is to build an alternative infrastructure such as LNG terminals,” explains Kruse.
Fracking does not seem to be an option
Both advocate an energy-saving campaign to reduce consumption in this country and reduce dependence on Russia. However, Kruse does not consider a speed limit on motorways to be the most appropriate measure to save energy.
In the current situation, an expansion of domestic natural gas production is not taboo for either Nestle or Kruse, although neither believe that this will have any significant short-term effects. “We should think about North Sea gas production, but it is no help for the problem situation that we can get into before next winter,” explains Kruse.
Both do not consider reactivation of the controversial fracking method to be the wisest step. “We have to take quick and precise measures and not get caught up in other debates,” says Kruse.
Gazprom Germania is subordinated to the Federal Network Agency
Also: Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) appointed the Federal Network Agency as a trustee at Gazprom Germania on Monday. The former subsidiary of the Russian gas supplier Gazprom is responsible for 40 percent of the gas supply in this country.
>> Read also: Interview with Network Agency President Klaus Müller on gas supply
On the one hand, the ministry wants to ensure security of supply in Germany. In addition, an opaque change of ownership was prevented with the unprecedented action. The Russian parent company declared last week that it wanted to “give up” its German subsidiary.
Over the weekend it turned out that two Russian companies, which are unknown in Germany, would become the new owners of Gazprom Germania. The federal government has now put a stop to this. And an uncontrolled insolvency is averted for the time being. “It is impressive how quickly and decisively the Federal Minister acted at this point,” comments Nestle.
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