After increased gas consumption, the Federal Network Agency has warned households and businesses to make greater efforts to save.
"The gas consumption of households and businesses in the last week was well above the average consumption of previous years," criticized the head of the authorities, Klaus Müller, on Thursday.
The numbers are very sobering.
Without significant savings in the private sector, too, it would be difficult to avoid a gas shortage in winter.
In the past week, consumption was 14.5 percent above the average for the years 2018 to 2021, explained Müller.
"The Federal Network Agency is currently assuming that a reduction in consumption of at least 20 percent is necessary to avoid a gas shortage."
The regulator wants to publish weekly figures on gas consumption in Germany with immediate effect.
In the event of a gas shortage, the authority must decide who will still get the fuel and who will not.
Industry and commerce fear severe damage should this happen.
Industry uses less gas
By mid-September, gas consumption by households and businesses was in some cases well below the average consumption of previous years, explained Müller.
One reason for the increase over the past week could be the lower temperatures.
"Although last week was colder than the weeks of the previous year and the consumptions are always snapshots and can change quickly, savings must also be made when temperatures continue to fall and that is not a sure-fire success," he emphasized.
According to Müller, industrial customers reduced their consumption in August by 22 percent compared to the average of previous years.
The development has continued over the past week.
In view of the well-stocked storage facilities, Germany could get through the winter under three conditions: "Firstly, the projects initiated to increase gas imports must be implemented." Secondly, the gas supply in the neighboring countries must also remain stable.
And thirdly, gas must be saved, even if it gets even colder in the winter.
"It will depend on each individual."