The EU Commission expects that Russia could turn off the gas supply this year. The EU’s “gas emergency plan” could bring considerable energy-saving measures to the economy and consumers. What you need to know about this.
In view of the impending gas crisis, the economy and consumers could face significant energy-saving measures. The European Commission’s proposal for a 19-degree rule has caused a sensation – it is part of the so-called gas emergency plan, which is expected to be presented next Wednesday (July 20).
There is now a “considerable risk” that Russia will stop gas supplies to Europe this year, the text says. Acting now could reduce the impact of a sudden supply disruption by a third.
FOCUS Online explains what the considerations mean for the security of supply of the Germans.
The draft for an emergency plan by the EU Commission stipulates that public buildings, offices and commercial buildings should only be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees from autumn. In buildings that belong to the state or are used by the state, cooling by air conditioning systems should only take place at 25 degrees. The aim of these temperature regulations should be to protect industries that are particularly important for supply chains and competitiveness.
To what extent the 19-degree rule in winter would be compatible with the previous legal regulations on the minimum temperature at work is currently still open. The Ministry of Labor informed the “Bayerischer Rundfunk” that the department, in coordination with the leading Ministry of Economic Affairs, is currently examining possible solutions as to how, in the event of a gas emergency, constraints to save heating energy could be reconciled with the requirements for employee health protection.
More on the subject: Germany is threatened with a gas emergency: how we can still get through the winter well
How warm or cold it has to be at the workplace is regulated in Germany in the workplace ordinance. The “predominant activity” determines the minimum temperature: For light work in quiet sitting or standing with occasional walking, there must be at least 20 degrees. 19 or even 17 degrees is enough for moderately difficult hand/arm or leg work while sitting, walking or standing. On the other hand, if you work hard, you have to be satisfied with a room temperature of twelve degrees.
The “gas emergency plan” is an EU regulation that has three escalation levels. Each stage brings with it specific policies and powers. In view of the tense situation, the EU has now drawn up a paper that contains a collection of ideas for saving gas, adapted to the current situation.
Specifically, the Commission’s draft stipulates that companies should already reduce their gas consumption or switch to other energy sources. Companies could receive financial incentives for this. Households are also encouraged to voluntarily consume less. “Anyone can save gas, now,” the authors write.
According to the draft, in the event of a gas shortage, the countries should regulate in their own emergency plans which industries would be supplied with gas first – after private households, which are protected under current EU rules and must be prioritized.
That’s not clear yet. Because the European Commission emphasizes that private households always have priority when it comes to gas supply. In exceptional cases, however, gas-fired power plants should be able to be placed above certain protected consumers. The paper states: “In emergencies, Member States may decide to prioritize the gas supply of certain critical gas-fired power plants over the gas supply of certain categories of protected customers where the security of electricity supply could be at risk.”
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no The plan is subject to change, it is only a preliminary paper. The 19-degree rule has not yet been set either. The number is written in square brackets according to the “world”. This is a sign that this recommendation could change.
According to the draft, the second stage of the plan would also be announced on the day of the presentation (probably July 20). However, the proposals are not mandatory. The federal states can implement the measures themselves.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock meanwhile welcomed the considerations of the European Commission. It is “very, very important and right that the EU Commission makes proposals here for different scenarios,” said the Greens politician in Rostock. “In times of greater uncertainty than normal peaceful times, you have to be prepared.”
However, the members of the European Parliament were less convinced of the measures. “The plan contains little that is revolutionary and does not solve the core problem that we will not get through the winter with information campaigns alone,” said CSU MP Markus Ferber. The core problem is that there is simply not enough gas.
This is also discussed in the Commission’s paper. The answer: at least significantly less than last year. Overall, the gas flows are now less than 30 percent of the average for 2016 to 2021, according to the draft.
However, according to the Commission’s text, simulations by the regulatory authority ENTSO-G have shown that a delivery stop this month would mean that the gas storage facilities cannot be filled sufficiently and there could therefore still be shortages in winter and next year.
If there were a disruption in October or later, there would be fewer risks to winter demand. But then you would have less time to react. The implications for member states depend on how dependent they are on Russian gas, it said. Germany is one of the countries most affected.
