Germany could replace around half of its natural gas imports from Russia this year in the event of a delivery stoppage, utility industry association BDEW said on March 18.
The group that represents 1,900 operators in gas, power and water supply said that according to its sources, Russia's share of Germany's gas supply in Jan-March, which is not officially published, stood at 40%.
Estimates from analysts and utilities last December had pegged the share at over 50%.
"As of today, around 50% of Russian natural gas can be replaced or substituted in the short term. This corresponds to about 20% of the annual gas requirement in Germany," said BDEW managing director Kerstin Andreae.
She did not say how the Russian gas could be replaced, but Germany has access to electricity derived from coal, nuclear energy, wind and solar sources. Some manufacturing cannot easily switch from gas, however.
Aware that any import ban, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, would have significant consequences for the German economy, the industry sought to lessen its current dependence on fossil raw materials from Russia, she added.
A target to fill Germany's underground gas storage capacity of 24 billion cubic metres to the brim by the beginning of next winter would also become questionable, BDEW said.
Domestic gas use amounted to 100 billion bcm last year, down 6.4% from 2020.
BDEW said it currently sees potential to reduce and substitute gas use by 15% in the home heating sector while small businesses and service industries might save 10%, and heavy industry 8%, and more could be achieved in future.
In power generation, the study saw possible reductions of gas burning by around 36%, but no more. Combined power and heating plants must continue to run in order to bring heat arising from the process to customers, it said.
The government has revved up plans to bring liquefied natural gas (LNG) on board ships into the country but currently there are no terminals to receive them because of the legacy dependency on pipeline gas.
The crisis has raised the need to push ahead with wind and solar electricity, insulating buildings to save heat, power grid expansion and scaling up renewable hydrogen, BDEW said.
Recommended Reading
STRYDE Provides Seismic Survey Solutions Globally
2024-07-25 - Companies across various sectors look to use STRYDE’s conventional and in-field processing services for 2D and 3D seismic surveys.
E-wireline: NexTier Taps Oilfield Grid, Automation for Completions
2024-07-23 - NexTier Completion Solutions is using advanced electric-drive equipment, automation-enabled pump down technology and digital connectivity to optimize wellsite operations during shale completions.
International, Tech Drive NOV’s 2Q Growth Amid US E&P Headwinds
2024-07-29 - Despite a U.S. drilling slowdown, slightly offset by Permian Basin activity, NOV saw overall second-quarter revenue grow by 6%, although second-half 2024 challenges remain in North America.
ProFrac, IWS Taking the Garbage Out of Oilfield Data Transfer
2024-07-16 - ProFrac and Intelligent Wellhead Systems’ MQTT protocol promises to speed up communications at the frac site, not only by saving costs but laying the foundation for future technological innovations and efficiencies in the field, the companies tell Hart Energy.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.