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Germans should cut energy consumption by at least 20% to avoid gas shortages this coming winter, Klaus Mueller, the head of Germany's federal regulator for gas and power networks, has told Welt am Sonntag newspaper.
"Consumers have to save at least 20% - so much more than before... there is already a risk of a gas shortage in December or we will have low storage levels at the end of the coming heating period," the Federal Network Agency chief stated in an interview published on Saturday.
Mueller said Germany should also cut its gas exports to neighboring countries by 20%, and import 10 to 15 gigawatt-hours of gas to avoid shortages.
"If we don't save a lot and don't get any additional gas, we'll have a problem," Mueller said.
His statements come as Russia's Gazprom has cut gas flows to Germany through the Nord Stream pipeline to 20%, citing technical issues and a turbine that in recent weeks the company has been unable to receive back from Canada after repairs due to Ukraine-related sanctions. Mueller earlier stated that Russia could use the issue with the turbine as an opportunity to cut the gas supply to Germany completely, which makes it crucial for the country to save as much gas as possible.
Comment: At least they didn't recant. "Sorry the truth hurts."