RTL discussed the pressing topic of gas shortages with the commissioner for energy, Simeon Hagspiel, who assured that Luxembourg will not be heavily touched by the energy crisis.
To answer the question of whether Luxembourg will face gas shortages this winter, our colleagues from RTL paid a visit to one of the two Creos sites near the Belgian border where gas is currently being imported to the Grand Duchy. A third pipeline also exists at the German border, but that one has been out of use for quite some time.
Simeon Hagspiel, commissioner for energy, explained that Belgium, and by consequence Luxembourg, is "well-supplied". The country has a diverse portfolio in terms of gas suppliers, including Norway and England, and which also applies to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
European stocks filled by 80%
During last week's press conference, Minister Turmes stressed that the European Union reacted well to the situation and managed to fill gas stocks in a short period of time. He also elaborated on the decisions to save up to 15% of gas across the Union and to find gas suppliers in different parts of the world.
It is estimated that the gas stocks of the EU are 80% filled, but what does that actually mean?
Hagspiel noted: "In Europe, we have the stocking capacity to cover 25 to 30% of what is needed during a normal winter. This really is a significant amount. Our stocks are well-filled at the moment, especially when compared to last winter when we really encountered a problem. Storages were not filled enough, in particular the one from Gazprom."
Before the crisis, Luxembourg's gas management group convened every two months to evaluate the situation. Now, they meet on a weekly basis to monitor the supplies.
'Putin is driving up prices'
According to Minister Turmes, "gas prices are extremely elevated because of Putin's policies that consciously drive up prices. We therefore have no choice other than to save energy, whether it be on government, municipal, industrial, business, or household levels."
The Greens politician further elaborated that people are able to save up to 6 to 7% of consumption by lowering the thermostat by just 1°C. "If all of Luxembourg manages to save up to 15%, then our suppliers will not have to buy gas from the expensive market", noted Minister Turmes.
Regardless of measures, it is clear that people will have to pay more for their gas supplies this winter. Enovos estimates that a household of four people will have to spend an additional €2,350 per year.
