The Leipzig gas trading company Verbundnetzgas AG (VNG) is pushing for payment of the controversial gas levy.
"Without the gas surcharge, we will not be able to continue our business as before and therefore no longer be able to fulfill our supply mandate," said CEO Ulf Heitmüller to the editorial network Germany (RND) and the "Leipziger Volkszeitung" (Friday).
He assumes “that the gas surcharge will come”.
VNG is one of the major German gas importers and is a subsidiary of the Karlsruhe energy group EnBW, which is currently making good profits due to the high energy prices.
However, according to Heitmüller, VNG does not benefit from this.
Although EnBW is the majority shareholder, 25 percent of the VNG shares are owned by the municipality.
"The majority are East German municipalities," explained Heitmüller.
"I can't just call Karlsruhe and say: transfer me a billion or more.
If so, that would only be possible via a capital increase, and then our municipal owners would also have to spend a lot of money if East Germany's stake in VNG is not to be diluted.
"Because of the lack of Russian gas deliveries, VNG now has to procure a replacement at significantly higher prices - according to Heitmann for a low to mid double-digit million amount every day.
"No company can withstand such a capital outflow in the long term." The company expects the levy to be in the low single-digit billions.
The gas levy was criticized because companies that are doing well economically could also benefit.
Now it should be improved.
For example, only companies that do not pay bonuses or dividends should receive money.
Heitmann said: "VNG will post a dramatic loss this year, certainly in the three-digit million range.
If the target is missed in this way, the question of bonuses at board level is settled anyway.”