According to the plan, the maintenance work should only last ten days – until July 21.

However, due to the sanctions imposed by the West, it is to be feared that Russia will not turn on the gas tap again this time.

Robert Habeck warns against relying on it.

For weeks now, significantly less gas than possible has been delivered via the Baltic Sea pipeline.

According to the Federal Network Agency, the line is currently only about 40 percent utilized.

For Russia, maintenance work on a Siemens turbine is responsible for this.

Canada agreed at the weekend - despite its sanctions against Russia - to return the serviced turbine to Germany.

According to Habeck, Russia's justification was only pretended and also an indication that the regular maintenance work on Nord Stream 1 might not be completed in the usual period.

What are you afraid of?

The gas supply in Germany is currently still stable.

Hot water only at certain times or turning off the heating overnight would be worst-case scenarios.

Robert Habeck describes a possible state allocation of energy as a "political nightmare scenario".

"This will present Germany with a crucial test that we haven't had for a long time," says the Economics Minister.

Consumer Protection Minister Lemke told the "Bild am Sonntag": "On the one hand, we have to ensure that the suppliers can maintain the energy supply in the country and, on the other hand, nobody should be cut off from electricity or gas in such a crisis situation because they are in arrears with the bill. Lemke promised a moratorium, as applied to rent payments during the early phase of the corona pandemic.

At that time, tenants were protected from evictions for three months if they could not pay their rent.

Robert Habeck also speaks of a further relief package to prevent social upheaval due to rising energy prices.

This is currently being discussed in the "concerted action" in which the federal government is consulting with trade unions and business associations.

“Adjusting this year will be tough and too tough for some people.

Without further political support, the social division there will be promoted too much,” says Habeck.

In the event of a shortage, the Federal Network Agency, as the federal load distributor, must determine who will continue to be supplied with gas and who will be cut off.

The measures would be determined situationally, which means that there is no fixed order of shutdown.

The federal government is trying to prevent such scenarios by saving and storing gas.

What precautionary measures are there?

On July 8, the federal government and the Bundesrat passed a package of laws to expand renewables and energy security in Germany.

In addition to increased expansion targets for wind and solar power, the package includes the basics for being able to react in the event of a gas emergency.

Then coal-fired power plants are to be taken from the reserve in order to use them to generate electricity.

In addition, energy companies will be allowed to pass on higher prices in the future in the event of a gas shortage.

In addition, state aid for struggling energy companies will be made easier.

In order to ensure security of supply, Germany has to fill its gas storage tanks over the summer and bring them up to at least 90 percent at the beginning of winter.

At the moment it is about 60 percent on average.

At the same time, the government is launching a campaign to reduce gas consumption.

According to the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), consumption fell by 14.3 percent in the first five months of the year compared to the same period last year.

This is due to the comparatively mild winter months and the high gas prices.

A good 14 percent less gas was also burned in the power plants.

How are citizens reacting to the energy crisis?

Meanwhile, DIY stores are experiencing “a real rush” for everything that burns and makes you independent of gas heating.

Since Habeck launched the second stage of the gas emergency plan, there is no holding back, a Hornbach spokesman recently reported to the FAZ. Between January and June, sales of wood pellets doubled compared to the same period last year.

The demand for coal has increased by 35 percent.

This is still the "smallest growth".

Mobile electric heaters such as heaters are also increasingly being purchased.

Unfortunately, these mobile devices are far less efficient than Habeck's heat pumps, which is why experts strongly advise against using them permanently.

The answer to the question discussed on social media as to whether the oven could be a suitable substitute for a voluntarily or involuntarily throttled gas heating system is also unequivocal: No, it is not.

The Haus und Grund owners' association hopes that tenants will not overdo it when it comes to saving energy in winter.

"At temperatures below 16 degrees, the risk of mold growth increases significantly," explains Gerold Happ, member of the management board.

In addition, water-carrying pipes could freeze.

Heating with wood is only possible where appropriate stoves or fireplaces are available.

According to the Federal Environment Agency, however, this is quite often the case.

There were around 11 million "single room firing systems" in Germany recently.