The Danish Energy Agency, the Danish Energy Agency, has today issued a warning that the country risks a significantly deteriorating gas supply situation. According to the agency it is a signal to the players in the gas market to prepare for a real supply crisis.
“This is a serious situation we are in, and it has worsened with the reduced supplies from Russia to the European gas market,” says Martin Hansen, deputy head of the Danish Energy Agency.
Russia’s latest move
Earlier this month, Gazprom announced that it would not supply more gas to Ørsted – Denmark’s largest energy company. At the time, the Danish Energy Agency assured the public that the decision did not pose a threat to Denmark’s energy supply.
However, Denmark has continued to receive Russian gas via Germany – a supply that is now threatened by what appears to be Putin’s latest attempt to arm his country’s oil and gas reserves. Yesterday, Russia reduced gas supplies to Germany via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline by 60 percent.
The German authorities have said that there is no technical justification for the reduced supply, suggesting a political motive.
Contingency plan ready in case of gas shortage
In recognition of the seriousness of the situation, the Danish Energy Agency has emphasized that there is no secure supply crisis in Denmark. Danish gas reserves are currently filled up to 75 percent, the agency reported, and continue to expand.
The Danish Energy Agency has also developed an emergency plan to ensure that Danish homes are heated for the winter. The plan will, among other things, release emergency energy reserves and limit the gas supply to the most consuming companies.
“We still get gas in Denmark, and we have plans ready to secure consumers. Fortunately, we are robust in Denmark because we have a lot of green energy, ”said Hansen.
The rest of Europe is looking for alternatives
The Danish government also encourages people to reduce their own energy consumption.
“There is a lot to save if you think a little about everyday life. You can use a little less hot water. And it is a good time to go through the house to see if it is well insulated in winter, ”said Hansen.
Elsewhere in Europe, however, green alternatives to Russian energy are less available – and changing habits will not fill the gap following the dwindling supply. As a result, Germany, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands have all indicated that coal-fired power plants could be the answer to their energy problems.
Source: The Nordic Page