Importers have to buy gas at high cost – existential difficulties arise
The background to the government’s action is that importers such as Uniper have to buy the failed deliveries to Russia at short notice and at great expense on the market. Due to existing contracts with customers, however, they are not yet allowed to pass them on. This has put Uniper in particular in existential difficulties. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced the gas levy last week.
90 percent of the extra costs of the importers can be passed on – with an equal amount per kilowatt hour for everyone, regardless of where they signed their contract.
Habeck: Allocation protects gas suppliers
Habeck said in Bad Lauchstädt in Saxony-Anhalt that the levy could be used to support importers and suppliers. These could earn money again, and the risk of bankruptcy could be averted. “In any case, we assume that this allocation mechanism will calm the market and stabilize the company.”
Don’t worry about overloading end customers
The association of municipal companies, which represents the municipal utility, praised the procedure, but warned against overloading the end customers: “This requires sufficient time for the municipal utility to pass it on, the inclusion of all energy end customers and the possibility of stretching the load over time and, if necessary with tax funds,” said a spokesman.
The regulation must first pass the cabinet. From October, the difference between the current tariffs and the extra costs of the importers can then be estimated for a period up to the end of March 2024 and apportioned to the kilowatt hours. In retrospect, however, there should be an exact calculation. To do this, the necessary quantity of replacement procurement and its price must be determined for the specified 90 percent. Customer payments that are already in progress are deducted. The difference then results in the total contribution, which is then distributed evenly. A first calculation is to be published in August.
Habeck still sees a need for discussion as far as relief is concerned
During a visit to Stadtwerke Bayreuth on Thursday afternoon, Habeck emphasized that he still saw a need to talk about additional relief for citizens. There is a “zone” that has not yet been “illuminated” politically. Habeck spoke of “normal earners” who did not earn a blatant amount of money per month. “Because I think I know what burdens can come, I’m clearly on the side of being more generous.”
On the sidelines of a civil dialogue in Bayreuth on Thursday evening there were also loud whistles and boos against Habeck. Many citizens called him “Hau off”. The Green politician was described as a “warmonger” on posters. Overall, the protesters were in the minority at the event, which was estimated to be in the hundreds.
Habeck defended the course of the federal government and promoted exchange and dialogue. Referring to the sharp rise in energy prices, he said the root was the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The dictatorial regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin should not be allowed to win. The aggressive policy should not prevail. Germany must become independent of Russian energies as quickly as possible.
Criticism comes from the left
Sharp criticism of the Economics Minister’s course also comes from the left. Your parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, Dietmar Bartsch, called the gas levy “unacceptable”. “The decisions of the federal government mean that the necessary rescue of Uniper is largely passed on to consumers,” he complained.
Stricter regulations for gas storage levels from Friday
In addition to the gas surcharge, another change will come into play this Friday: Stricter regulations will come into effect to improve precautions in the energy crisis Regulations for the filling level of the gas storage in force. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the storage facilities should be two-thirds full by September 1st. This means that even with low gas inflows, storage should not take place. In addition, the previous requirements have been increased: by October 1st, the storage tanks must be 85 percent full, by November 1st 95 percent. The additional five percentage points compared to November meant around one billion cubic meters of gas, the ministry said.