The measures in question kick in when there is a major disruption in supply or demand
Germany is preparing to enter the second phase in its gas emergency plan within five to 10 days, Die Welt reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The so-called “alarm phase” is triggered when there “is a disruption in the gas supply or an exceptionally high demand for gas which leads to a significant deterioration of the gas supply situation, but the market is still able to cope with this disruption or demand without the need to take non-market based measures,” according to the German Economic Ministry.
The measures allow utilities to pass on gas costs to consumers. The price of fuel has skyrocketed in recent months following the launch of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, which led the EU to impose massive sanctions on the Russian energy sector. However, while those sanctions were intended to punish Moscow economically, they have had the reverse effect, impoverishing European families. A recent poll found as many as one in six Germans reported skipping meals to make ends meet.
