Recent reporting from a major German newspaper highlights concerns raised by Klaus Müller, the head of the Bundesnetzagentur, about ongoing gas emergency risks facing Germany. The article emphasizes that energy security remains a priority as conditions in wholesale gas markets continue to fluctuate. (Rheinische Post)
Wholesale gas prices, which surged to above 300 euros per megawatt-hour toward the end of the summer, have since declined by roughly 50 euros. This shift represents a price move larger than what was observed in 2021, yet Müller describes it as the new normal. He cautions that households and industry should prepare for higher energy costs as the era of inexpensive energy from Russia draws to a close. (Rheinische Post)
According to the regulator, Germany cannot expect the coming winter to be as forgiving as the last. The official notes that the heat and mildness of prior winters are unlikely to recur, suggesting a tighter energy outlook ahead. (Rheinische Post)
Klaus Müller, a former head of the federal regulator, has signaled the possibility of gas shortages in Germany next winter, underscoring the fragility of gas supply chains and the need for contingency planning. (Rheinische Post)
Moreover, Müller argues that any substantial drop in wholesale electricity prices is unlikely to occur quickly, proposing a horizon of six months to a year for meaningful relief. He reiterates that the era of cheap energy from Russia is effectively over for Germany. (Rheinische Post)