Russia only allows 20 percent of the gas volume to flow through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Now, of all times, it turns out that an alternative, which the Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck had taken care of in this case, is no longer applicable: Qatar does not supply gas after all. And now?
For Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens), the trip to the Persian Gulf in March was an enormously effective media moment. After meeting the Emir of Qatar, he recorded a video message in which he spoke openly about his discomfort: “People are dying in Ukraine and here – you can see – what the skyline is like,” Habeck said with narrowed eyes at the time Camera.
In the end, the trip was worth it. “The good news,” Habeck said proudly at the time, was that Qatar was ready to deliver more gas to Germany at short notice.
Now, of all times, when Russia has further throttled gas supplies through Nord Stream 1 and Germany is slipping more and more into an unprecedented energy crisis, it turns out that Habeck’s gas deal with Qatar has collapsed. After FOCUS online had already revealed in a research that the companies had not yet concluded any contracts for gas supplies with Qatar, the Economics Minister admitted in the “BILD am Sonntag” at the weekend: “The Qataris have decided not to make a good offer.” According to Habeck, the companies with whom he was on site at the time were getting gas elsewhere at the moment.
How could that happen?
There has never been a firm commitment for a specific quantity of gas from Qatar. A political consolation for Habeck. Because the minister had only concluded an energy partnership with the Qataris. No delivery quantities were specifically agreed, and there were also no firm commitments to companies at the time. The contracts had yet to be negotiated. Another problem was probably that the Qataris didn’t just want to serve as a bridge supplier, i.e. for a short period of time. Because in this country, many companies plan long-term without gas, but with renewable energies.
For Germany it is now: No gas comes from Qatar. Despite the collapsed deal, Habeck now assures that enough energy will come from other countries. But from where? And is that enough or how can a potential gas shortage be avoided?
To ensure that Germany does not experience a shortage in winter, three adjustments must first be made: consumption, exports and imports.
There are various energy-saving offensives to curb consumption. For example, monuments are only illuminated to a limited extent in the evening or public buildings are only cooled down to a certain temperature. However, further saving measures are to be implemented here – private households are also encouraged to save energy.
Export means the transfer of gas. In other words, Germany is currently acting as an energy transit country for European neighbors. However, if less gas arrives in Germany in the future, but at the same time the same amount of energy is passed on, something is missing. Various decision-makers are involved in how much gas is passed on to other European countries. As of now, however, there are no specified regulations.
And finally, on the other side, the import has to be ramped up. In other words, Germany needs alternative energy suppliers to Russia. There are already a few. In addition to Russia, German energy companies such as Vattenfall also purchase natural gas from Norway and the Netherlands. However, it is not clear how much more the European neighbors can deliver in the short term and whether this will be enough to fill the gap that has arisen.
An alternative: In the medium term, Habeck wants to ensure the supply with LNG liquid gas, among other things – as a bridge to hydrogen. Companies like RWE have, for example, signed contracts with the US giant Sempra. Annually, 2.25 million tons of liquid gas could come to Germany via the LNG terminals. Problem: It could be years before energy actually flows from the USA to Germany. For this and at least the next winter it would not help anyone.
The conversion to renewable energies will certainly not happen that quickly either. According to the Federal Network Agency, the storage levels would only have come close if gas supplies from Russia had remained at 40 percent all year round and there had been a reduction in exports. The Federal Network Agency intends to publish figures promptly on what the supply will look like now that it is clear that only 20 percent will flow through the pipeline.
However, it is clear that there will probably be a shortage of half the delivery quantity. Especially since not only this, but also the next winter has to be bridged.
