
The gas storage facilities are more empty than ever, and there is a risk of high prices in winter. Katherina Reiche's ministry is preparing an emergency law.
Due to heavily depleted gas storage facilities and the threat of high prices in winter, Katherina Reiche's ministry is preparing an emergency law that provides for a comeback of old coal and oil power plants as an emergency reserve.
AI-generated summary
The gas storage facilities in Germany are heavily depleted, which can lead to high energy prices in winter.
Empty gas storage facilities Reiche is planning a comeback of old coal and oil power plants as an emergency reserve
The gas storage facilities are more empty than ever, and there is a risk of high prices in winter. Katherina Reiche's ministry did little about it for months. Now she is preparing an emergency law.
By Stefan Schultz
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Issuance of an emergency law for coal and oil power plants
Very likely · Within weeks

German energy policy is being criticized. The accelerated phase-out of nuclear power and coal is perceived as an economic burden on the national economy in view of high electricity prices and scarce secured capacities.

The debate about Germany's nuclear phase-out is flaring up again in view of high electricity prices. Patrick Graichen (Greens) admits that continued operation in 2023 would have lowered prices, while experts and the IEA criticize the decision as an energy policy mistake.

According to media reports, the federal government is planning to use coal and oil power plants as a reserve for gas shortage crises. The aim is to save natural gas for industry and private households by using these power plants to generate electricity.

The Prime Ministers of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg criticize the federal procurement practice for back-up power plants and are calling for more capacity for southern Germany. A study by the consultancy Enervis puts the additional costs of power plant conversions compared to new buildings at around 9.6 billion euros over 15 years.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs plans to bring coal and oil power plants back from reserves in order to save natural gas in the event of a gas shortage. This is intended to reduce dependence on geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and increase security of supply.

The federal government is planning to build a national gas reserve of 24 terawatt hours as a crisis buffer. Financing is provided through a surcharge for gas customers, while existing fill level requirements for storage facilities expire in March 2027.