Germany Triggers First Stage of Emergency Gas Plan
Strategic Research Institute
Published on :
31 Mar, 2022, 6:52 am
It is reported that Germany and Austria have triggered emergency plans over possible gas supply disruption amid a payments stand-off with Russia as Russia has demanded unfriendly countries pay for its gas in roubles from 31 March, but the EU, which mainly pays in euros, rejected the idea. Moscow later appeared to soften its stance, saying rouble payments would be introduced gradually. But Germany and Austria have taken the first steps towards gas rationing. Germany urged consumers and companies to reduce consumption in anticipation of possible shortages, while Austria said it was tightening its monitoring of the gas market.
Germany's Economy Ministry has triggered the first of three stages of its emergency gas plan
1. EARLY WARNING PHASE
- This stage is triggered when there are "concrete, serious and reliable indications that an event may occur which is likely to lead to a significant deterioration of the gas supply situation and probably to the alarm or emergency level."
- Gas companies continue to ensure supplies, there are no supply disruptions yet.
- Gas transmission system operators, or network operators, update Germany's Economy Ministry at least once a day on the supply situation.
- Electricity TSOs coordinate to ensure the stability of their grids.
- Gas suppliers advise the government and are part of the crisis team.
- The government immediately informs the European Commission about potential further measures, which can include revoking the early emergency status if the conditions are no longer met.
2. ALARM PHASE
- This stage is triggered when there "is a disruption in the gas supply or an exceptionally high demand for gas which leads to a significant deterioration of the gas supply situation, but the market is still able to cope with this disruption or demand without the need to take non-market based measures."
- It kicks in when there is a high risk of long-term supply shortages of gas.
- There are no changes compared with the first phase, but all market players, including TSOs and gas suppliers, are under more pressure to balance out disruptions via efficiency and short-term measures such as procuring gas from alternative sources.
3. EMERGENCY PHASE
- This stage is triggered when there is an exceptionally high demand for gas, a significant disruption in gas supplies or another significant supply situation and all relevant market-based measures have been implemented, but gas supply is insufficient to meet the remaining gas demand so that additional non-market based measures need to be taken, in particular to ensure the supply of gas to protected customers.
- State intervention kicks in because market fundamentals no longer apply, effectively meaning that remaining gas supplies are rationed.
- This is done by the German network regulator, the Bundesnetzagentur, which is tasked with securing the "vital demand for gas with special consideration of protected customers and minimizing consequential damage."
- In broad brush terms, supply to industry is curtailed first, while households and critical institutions such as hospitals continue to receive available gas.