Germany Raises Gas Supply Alert Level from 1 to 2 Due to Russia's Reduced Gas Supply (Comprehensive)

"12 EU Member States Affected"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Germany has upgraded its gas emergency supply plan from stage 1, early warning, to stage 2, alert, in response to Russia's reduction of gas supplies.

According to Bloomberg on the 23rd (local time), Robert Habeck, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, announced in a statement that the gas emergency supply plan alert would be raised from the current stage 1 early warning to stage 2 alert.

European Union (EU) countries classify their energy emergency supply plans into three stages: early warning, alert, and emergency. The upgrade from early warning to alert indicates an increased risk of long-term gas supply shortages and a more urgent situation. The German government had previously issued the stage 1 early warning on March 30.

At the time of issuing the stage 1 early warning, there was a need to prepare for the possibility of gas supply being cut off as Russia insisted on receiving gas payments in its own currency, the ruble, starting the next day. This time, the measure follows Russia's 60% reduction in gas supply through Nord Stream 1, which runs under the Baltic Sea and connects to Germany, starting from the 16th.

Germany warned that with Russia's gas supply sharply decreasing, it faces a difficult winter without prior measures to defend against supply shortages. Vice Chancellor Habeck said, "The path we must take as a nation will be a difficult one," adding, "Although we do not feel it yet, we are in a gas crisis." He also noted that Europe's largest economy must prepare for Russia's reduction in gas supply.

If the emergency supply plan alert is further raised to the final stage 3 emergency, the state will intervene directly. In this case, the Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway will have the authority to allocate gas to industries. Households, hospitals, and safety personnel are excluded from this management.

Meanwhile, major foreign media reported that 12 EU member states have issued early warning or higher alerts under the emergency supply plan due to the impact of Russia's gas supply reduction. Initially, Frans Timmermans, EU Vice President, stated that 10 out of the 27 member states had issued early warnings regarding gas supply, but with Germany and others added later, the EU announced that 12 countries have been affected by Russia's gas supply cuts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.