Germany to limit use of gas for electricity production

BERLIN –

Germany’s economy minister saidSunday’s announcement that the country will limit the consumption of gas for electricity production came amid concerns about possible shortages if supplies from Russia are reduced.

Germany has been working to fill its gas storage tanks to capacity in advance of winter months when gas is more important as a heating fuel.

Robert Habeck, Economy Minister saidGermany will compensate by increasing the use of coal, a polluting fossil fuel.

He said, “That’s bitter but it’s necessary in this situation to reduce gas usage.” said.

Despite the fact that the situation on the gas markets is becoming more severe in recent days storage facilities are still able make up the shortfall from Russia using purchases from other countries.

Still, Habeck saidThe situation was grave.

Gazprom, a Russian gas company, announced last week that it would reduce supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline because of technical reasons.

Habeck saidHe believed that the move was politically motivated.