Monthly payments for gas will triple in Germany

According to estimates by the Federal Network Agency, the monthly advance payments for consumers of natural gas will at least triple in 2023. At the same time, the agency countered fears that private households could be supplied with less gas in the event of a lack of gas.

According to estimates by the Federal Network Agency, the monthly advance payments for consumers of natural gas will at least triple in the coming year. Klaus Müller, the authority's president, told the editorial network Germany on Thursday:

"For those who are now getting their heating bills, the deductions are already doubling - and that doesn't even take into account the consequences of the Ukraine war."

He added:

"From 2023, gas customers will have to prepare for the discounts to triple, at least."

Some of the prices on the stock exchanges have increased sevenfold. Mueller said:

"Not all of this reaches consumers immediately and not in full, but at some point it has to be paid for. And that's why it makes so much sense to save more now."

When asked what he thought of passing on the higher procurement costs of the gas traders to the gas customers with a surcharge, the head of the network agency said:

"It's a political decision that needs to be weighed very carefully."

In this way, companies could be supported with billions of euros. The other variant would be "to announce the prices and then to help those who can no longer afford them".

Müller countered fears that private households could be supplied with lower priority in the event of a gas shortage. "The German and European legal situation provides for private households to be protected to the end," he affirmed. And further:

"Even in the worst scenario, Germany will continue to get gas from Norway and from terminals in Belgium or Holland, soon also directly from terminals on the German coast."

He thinks it is "not very likely" that no more gas will reach people's homes. Since Monday, Russia has stopped supplying gas through the important Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline due to maintenance work. The work is expected to last until July 21. It is unclear whether gas will flow again afterwards.

Employer President Rainer Dulger is therefore very concerned about the German economy. He told the Süddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday:

"It looks as if Russia is severely running out of gas or isn't supplying anything at all in the long run."

"We are facing the biggest crisis the country has ever had."

A gas supply stop would pose serious problems for the German economy. This is not limited to industry, but affects everyone. He added: