Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck wants to explore options for purchasing hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG) this weekend together with a business delegation in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
"The aim of the trip is to build a hydrogen partnership in the medium term, which means supporting it politically," said the Green politician before leaving Berlin.
He wants to support companies in examining LNG funding opportunities in the short term.
The companies that ensure the gas supply in Germany should be given a political framework to become independent of Russian gas.
Habeck will be accompanied by around 20 company representatives, primarily from the energy sector.
According to him, the gas supply in Germany for the coming winter is not yet completely secured.
"This means that if we don't get more gas by next winter and the supply connections from Russia are cut or broken off, we wouldn't have enough gas to keep all houses warm and all industry running."
At the same time, Habeck warned: "Well, gas is mainly used in industry at the beginning of the supply chain and then there is or can be a kind of domino effect." just stupid.”
Wider power supply
In view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the federal government wants to put the gas supply in Germany on a broader basis and thus become more independent from Russia.
So far, Germany has covered around 55 percent of its gas requirements with Russian natural gas.
To this end, LNG terminals are also to be set up in northern Germany so that liquid gas tankers can dock there.
However, this takes several years.
When Germany builds LNG terminals, it is about having supply contracts that could then bring the additional capacities to Europe, said Habeck.
The construction of the terminals will take some time.
But he hopes that Qatar can provide a little more gas in the meantime.
"We'll sort that out in the talks.