Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – With a view to the impending gas crisis, Hesse’s Energy Minister Tarek Al-Wazir (Greens) invited representatives of the municipalities and the economy to a meeting this Friday (July 22nd). The ministry announced on Thursday that the central municipal associations, the state association of the energy industry and the largest gas-consuming companies in the state were expected to attend. In addition, the chambers and operating companies of the gas storage facilities and pipelines are invited to the digital exchange.
On the one hand, Al-Wazir wanted to find out more about the current gas supply situation, the ministry said. On the other hand, he will explain to the gas suppliers, large consumers and associations what information the state has from the federal government. In addition, it is about the precautions of the state government in the event that the emergency level of the gas emergency plan is declared.
“In view of the suspended or significantly reduced natural gas supplies from Russia, we are all looking forward to the winter with concern,” said Al-Wazir. “We don’t yet know whether the storage tanks can be filled sufficiently or whether the federal government has to declare the emergency level.” If it were possible to significantly reduce consumption in summer and autumn, then it might be possible to avoid declaring the emergency level even if Russian deliveries were completely stopped.
“The Hessian economy could hit the emergency level very hard,” warned the minister. “It is all the more important to me to continue to exchange ideas early and closely with everyone who could be affected by a gas shortage.”
