Siegfried Ruswurm, the head of the German Industry Association, stated in an interview with a major newspaper that the losses tied to rejecting Russian gas have been tallied by the BDI. The organization warned that the pursuit of energy independence could trigger significant economic pain for Germany, potentially spilling over into markets and manufacturers across the country. [Bild]
According to Ruswurm, the immediate effects of cutting off Russian gas would be severe. He emphasized that the mitigation of a supply shortfall must assume a scenario in which gas volumes are no longer available to the far reaches of Germany’s gas transportation network. In Ruswurm’s view, this would force a difficult recalibration of supply for many regions’ end users and industrial customers.
Ruswurm pointed out that a substantial portion of German industry relies on gas not only as a raw material input for chemical production but also as a critical source for electricity generation. A disruption in gas supply would, therefore, ripple through both the chemical sector and the power sector, undermining production stability and grid reliability.
He warned that in the majority of cases, firms facing gas restrictions would be compelled to halt production. Some companies could face irreversible damage to their operations, potentially losing the ability to resume activity in the future. The scenario, he noted, would not only affect near-term output but could also alter long-term investment plans and competitiveness across export-oriented sectors.
Earlier remarks from Steffen Kotre, a deputy with the Federal Assembly, highlighted that the decision to impose sanctions on the German energy market is linked to a broader set of political actions. He framed the policy response as part of a complex web of international measures, domestic energy strategy, and climate protection commitments that shape how Germany navigates energy security and economic stability.
Industry observers say the debate over energy imports and sanctions reflects deeper questions about industrial resilience, diversification of supply sources, and the ability of Germany to maintain manufacturing momentum while pursuing ambitious environmental goals. Analysts note that the energy transition, while essential for future emissions targets, interacts with short-term affordability and reliability considerations that affect households and businesses alike. [Russian energy committee]