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.

"For those who are now getting their heating bills, the deductions are already doubling - and the consequences of the Ukraine war are not even taken into account," said the President of the authority, Klaus Müller, the editorial network Germany.

“From 2023, gas customers will have to expect discounts to triple, at least,” he added.

Some of the prices on the stock exchanges have increased sevenfold.

“It doesn't all reach consumers immediately and 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," Müller continued.

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: "This is a political decision that has to be weighed very carefully." You could support the companies with billions.

The other variant would be "to announce the prices and then to help those who can no longer carry 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 the protection of private households to the end," he affirmed.

"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." “.

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.

"It looks as if Russia is severely short of gas or will not supply anything at all in the long run," Dulger told the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

"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.

"We have to be honest and say: We're going to lose the prosperity that we've had for years," said Dulger.

In view of the looming gas crisis, the economy and consumers could face significant energy-saving measures.

A draft for an emergency plan by the European Commission provides that public buildings, offices and commercial buildings should be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees from autumn.

"Acting now can reduce the impact of a sudden supply disruption by a third," says the text, which is available to the German Press Agency.

There is now a "significant risk" that Russia will stop gas deliveries to Europe this year. Companies that can replace gas should reduce their consumption, they say. The aim is to protect industries that are particularly important for supply chains and competitiveness are important.

Possible restrictions for private households continue to meet with criticism from associations in Germany.

The background to this are considerations by Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) to rethink the EU-wide prioritization of consumers and critical infrastructure over industry in the allocation of gas.

"It's about elementary needs like a warm meal, warm water or a warm room, and not about luxury goods that can easily be done without," said the president of the social association VdK, Verena Bentele, the newspapers of the Funke media group. "Especially families with small children, people with disabilities and older, chronically ill people and people in need of care are dependent on a secure supply of gas."

Bentele added that the EU "for good reason" passed the legal regulation to protect private households in the event of a gas shortage. "The prioritization of private households must not be shaken."

Otherwise, the federal government would put people's health at risk.

"With his gas prioritization debate, Minister of Climate Habeck unsettles people in need of care and sick people at home, in care facilities and hospitals," said Eugen Brysch, the board member of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, of the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. "Anyone who actually gets gas in winter is not allowed to be a federal minister The Bundestag is called upon to clarify the question of prioritization in a generally valid way."

This is the only way to counteract insecurity among the population.