Hot Water In Hot Waters: German City Might Be Rationing Heating Soon

As Germany considers all possible scenarios should Russia decide to cut off all its gas exports to the West, the city of Hamburg could be facing possible rationing of hot water and limited heater usage–according to its environment senator.

The comments come after Russia, Germany’s main source of gas, has cut down exports through the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline by 40%.

“In an acute gas shortage, warm water could only be made available at certain times of the day in an emergency,” said Hamburg Senator for the Environment Jens Kerstan in a local newspaper.

In March, Berlin enacted the first part of the three-step emergency plan that includes early warning, alert, and emergency levels. The move comes after Russia demanded all its exports be paid in rubles as the Kremlin attempts to breathe life into the currency.

Then, the country activated the second step a month ago, which includes putting all market players, including TSOs and gas suppliers, under more pressure on judicial use of energy resources.

State interventions come in when the plan moves to the third and final step, which is expected to be triggered when “gas supply is insufficient to meet the remaining gas demand,” even after “all relevant market-based measures have been implemented.”

The third step would include the possibility of rationing warm water and limiting the maximum heating temperature. According to the plan, households and essential industries such as hospitals will be prioritized. However, Kerstan sees a technical challenge to the prioritization.

“It will not be possible everywhere to differentiate between commercial and private customers in the event of a gas shortage,” he added.

In a scenario study released by the European country’s Federal Network Agency, only by reducing gas exports and keeping import levels from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline can the country achieve its set gas storage level goals.

Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing earlier forecasted that the country would potentially head for a recession “if imports or supplies of Russian oil and natural gas were to be halted.”

Earlier this year, Berlin shunned calls to revive its nuclear energy industry and stop decommissioning plants. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the country instead should focus on building an LNG terminal.

Earlier this month, Germany was said to be planning to restart its coal-fired power plants to conserve its natural gas supplies.


Information for this briefing was found via Reuters. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

When 4% of Global Copper Disappears Overnight | David Gower – Emerita Resources

Mining M&A: Gold X2 Acquires Kesselrun Resources

They Said Oil Was Dead. They Were Wrong. | Michael Judson – Record Resources

Recommended

Military Seizes Power in Madagascar After President Flees

Altamira Gold Hits 395.5 Metres Of 0.4 g/t Gold At Maria Bonita

Related News

Ifo Dip Shows Germany Is On Track For A Recession; Energy Prices Edge Closer To €700 per MWh

Germany’s in for a bitter winter. For Europe’s largest economy, it seems that the question...

Monday, August 29, 2022, 04:34:00 PM

Most Germans Support Nuclear Energy Return, Poll Shows

A narrow majority of Germans favor reviving nuclear power, according to new survey data that...

Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 07:53:51 AM

Countries Urge Citizens to Leave Lebanon Quickly Following Hamas Senior Leader’s Assassination in Beirut

Germany has issued a new travel advisory urging its citizens to leave Lebanon as quickly...

Thursday, January 4, 2024, 03:49:00 PM

Looks Like Donald Trump Might Have Been Right About Germany Becoming “Totally Dependent” On Russian Energy

At the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2018, then-US President Donald Trump attempted...

Monday, August 29, 2022, 12:52:00 PM

German Conservatives Consider Reversing Nuclear Phase-Out

Germany may reconsider its nuclear exit strategy as the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) investigates...

Sunday, April 13, 2025, 11:23:00 AM